Complexity of Coupled Human and Natural Systems

Jianguo Liu(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Thomas Dietz(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Stephen R. Carpenter(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Marina Alberti(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Carl Folke(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Emilio F. Morán(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Alice N. Pell(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Peter Deadman(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Timothy K. Kratz(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Jane Lubchenco(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Элинор Остром(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Zhiyun Ouyang(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), William Provencher(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Charles L. Redman(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), Stephen H. Schneider(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), William W. Taylor(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences)
Science
September 13, 2007
Cited by 3,527Open Access
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Abstract

Integrated studies of coupled human and natural systems reveal new and complex patterns and processes not evident when studied by social or natural scientists separately. Synthesis of six case studies from around the world shows that couplings between human and natural systems vary across space, time, and organizational units. They also exhibit nonlinear dynamics with thresholds, reciprocal feedback loops, time lags, resilience, heterogeneity, and surprises. Furthermore, past couplings have legacy effects on present conditions and future possibilities.


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