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Unraveling complex ...
Unraveling complex causal processes that affect sustainability requires more integration between empirical and modeling approaches
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- Schlüter, Maja, 1970- (author)
- Stockholms universitet,Stockholm Resilience Centre
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Brelsford, Christa (author)
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Ferraro, Paul J. (author)
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- Orach, Kirill, 1987- (author)
- Stockholms universitet,Stockholm Resilience Centre
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Qiu, Minghao (author)
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Smith, Martin D. (author)
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(creator_code:org_t)
- 2023
- 2023
- English.
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 120:41
- Related links:
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https://doi.org/10.1...
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https://urn.kb.se/re...
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Abstract
Subject headings
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- Scientists seek to understand the causal processes that generate sustainability problems and determine effective solutions. Yet, causal inquiry in nature–society systems is hampered by conceptual and methodological challenges that arise from nature–society interdependencies and the complex dynamics they create. Here, we demonstrate how sustainability scientists can address these challenges and make more robust causal claims through better integration between empirical analyses and process- or agent-based modeling. To illustrate how these different epistemological traditions can be integrated, we present four studies of air pollution regulation, natural resource management, and the spread of COVID-19. The studies show how integration can improve empirical estimates of causal effects, inform future research designs and data collection, enhance understanding of the complex dynamics that underlie observed temporal patterns, and elucidate causal mechanisms and the contexts in which they operate. These advances in causal understanding can help sustainability scientists develop better theories of phenomena where social and ecological processes are dynamically intertwined and prior causal knowledge and data are limited. The improved causal understanding also enhances governance by helping scientists and practitioners choose among potential interventions, decide when and how the timing of an intervention matters, and anticipate unexpected outcomes. Methodological integration, however, requires skills and efforts of all involved to learn how members of the respective other tradition think and analyze nature–society systems.
Subject headings
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)
- SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)
- SOCIAL SCIENCES -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)
Keyword
- coupled human–natural systems
- nature–society systems
- social-ecological-technological systems
- social–ecological systems
- socio-environmental systems
Publication and Content Type
- ref (subject category)
- art (subject category)
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