1. |
- Arvaniti, Maria, et al.
(author)
-
Time-consistent renewable resource management with present bias and regime shifts
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization. - : Elsevier. - 0167-2681 .- 1879-1751. ; 207, s. 479-495
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigate the extraction plan of present-biased decision makers managing a renew-able resource stock whose growth is uncertain and which could undergo a rapid and sig-nificant change when stock falls below a threshold. We show that the Markov-Nash equi-librium extraction policy is unique, time consistent, and increasing in resource stock. An increase in the threshold leads to increased resource extraction, rather than the precau-tionary reduction in extraction often observed with exponential discounting. An increase in the degree of present bias also leads to an increase in resource extraction. Our analy-sis suggests that accounting for and appropriately dealing with resource managers' present bias may be important to understand resource use sustainability.
|
|
2. |
- Athias, Jean -Denis, et al.
(author)
-
Emergence of social-psychological barriers to social-ecological resilience : from causes to solutions
- 2024
-
In: Ecology and Society. - 1708-3087. ; 29:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study explores social-psychological barriers that may affect resilience in the context of sustainability. These barriers can be understood as unobserved processes that reduce the capacity of a social-ecological system to recover after a perturbation or transformation. Analyzing social-psychological processes enables us to distinguish passive and active processes, at the individual and collective levels. Our work suggests that interacting social and psychological processes should be considered as dynamically evolving determinants of resilience, especially when perturbations can change the psychology of individuals, and thus the underlying dynamics of social-ecological systems. Hence, considering social-psychological barriers and the conditions under which they emerge may provide decision makers with useful insights for coping with ineluctable uncertainties that reduce systems' transformative capacity and thus their general resilience.
|
|
3. |
- Barrett, Scott, et al.
(author)
-
Social dimensions of fertility behavior and consumption patterns in the Anthropocene
- 2020
-
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 117:12, s. 6300-6307
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We consider two aspects of the human enterprise that profoundly affect the global environment: population and consumption. We show that fertility and consumption behavior harbor a class of externalities that have not been much noted in the literature. Both are driven in part by attitudes and preferences that are not egoistic but socially embedded; that is, each household's decisions are influenced by the decisions made by others. In a famous paper, Garrett Hardin [G. Hardin, Science 162, 1243-1248 (1968)] drew attention to overpopulation and concluded that the solution lay in people abandoning the freedom to breed. That human attitudes and practices are socially embedded suggests that it is possible for people to reduce their fertility rates and consumption demands without experiencing a loss in wellbeing. We focus on fertility in sub-Saharan Africa and consumption in the rich world and argue that bottom-up social mechanisms rather than top-down government interventions are better placed to bring about those ecologically desirable changes.
|
|
4. |
- Carpenter, S. R., et al.
(author)
-
General resilience to cope with extreme events
- 2012
-
In: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 4:12, s. 3248-3259
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Resilience to specified kinds of disasters is an active area of research and practice. However, rare or unprecedented disturbances that are unusually intense or extensive require a more broad-spectrum type of resilience. General resilience is the capacity of social-ecological systems to adapt or transform in response to unfamiliar, unexpected and extreme shocks. Conditions that enable general resilience include diversity, modularity, openness, reserves, feedbacks, nestedness, monitoring, leadership, and trust. Processes for building general resilience are an emerging and crucially important area of research.
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
- Chapin III, F. Stuart, et al.
(author)
-
Earth stewardship : Shaping a sustainable future through interacting policy and norm shifts
- 2022
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 51:9, s. 1907-1920
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transformation toward a sustainable future requires an earth stewardship approach to shift society from its current goal of increasing material wealth to a vision of sustaining built, natural, human, and social capital—equitably distributed across society, within and among nations. Widespread concern about earth’s current trajectory and support for actions that would foster more sustainable pathways suggests potential social tipping points in public demand for an earth stewardship vision. Here, we draw on empirical studies and theory to show that movement toward a stewardship vision can be facilitated by changes in either policy incentives or social norms. Our novel contribution is to point out that both norms and incentives must change and can do so interactively. This can be facilitated through leverage points and complementarities across policy areas, based on values, system design, and agency. Potential catalysts include novel democratic institutions and engagement of non-governmental actors, such as businesses, civic leaders, and social movements as agents for redistribution of power. Because no single intervention will transform the world, a key challenge is to align actions to be synergistic, persistent, and scalable.
|
|
7. |
- Crépin, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(author)
-
Arctic Climate Change, Economy and Society (ACCESS) : Integrated perspectives
- 2017
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 46, s. 341-354
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This introduction to the special issue presents an overview of the wide range of results produced during the European Union project Arctic Climate Change, Economy and Society (ACCESS). This project assessed the main impacts of climate change on Arctic Ocean's geophysical variables and how these impending changes could be expected to impact directly and indirectly on socio-economic activities like transportation, marine sea food production and resource exploitation. Related governance issues were examined. These results were used to develop several management tools that can live on beyond ACCESS. In this article, we synthesize most of the project results in the form of tentative responses to questions raised during the project. By doing so, we put the findings of the project in a broader perspective and introduce the contributions made in the different articles published in this special issue.
|
|
8. |
- Crépin, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(author)
-
Coupled economic-ecological systems with slow and fast dynamics - Modelling and analysis method
- 2011
-
In: Ecological Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-8009 .- 1873-6106. ; 70:8, s. 1448-1458
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this article is to contribute to the exploration of non-convex dynamics in coupled human-nature systems. We study welfare issues associated with the management of a human-nature complex adaptive system with a threshold and a stochastic driver. We exemplify with a specific system where we link changes in the number and diversity of birds to the abundance of a pest (insects) that causes damages to goods and services valuable to human beings. We present a method that simplifies the analysis and helps us discuss different management models that combine direct and indirect controls of the pest. This allows us to show that 1) the choice of control method depends in a highly non-linear way on biodiversity characteristics and 2) the socially optimal outcome may not be reachable using price instruments. Hence the price vs. quantity debate needs to be revisited using a complex adaptive system lens.
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
- Crepin, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(author)
-
Grazing Games
- 2005
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Grasslands used for domestic livestock are often the common property of several owners and are typically characterized by complex ecosystem dynamics. When grass is taken as a fixed production factor we verify the standard result that non-cooperative farmers keep higher stock of cattle and have higher grazing pressure than cooperative farmers. However, when we account for grassland dynamics the picture becomes more complex and the conventional result may not necessarily hold.
|
|
11. |
|
|
12. |
|
|
13. |
- Crépin, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(author)
-
Social-ecological systems as complex adaptive systems : modeling and policy implications
- 2013
-
In: Environment and Development Economics. - 1355-770X .- 1469-4395. ; 18:2, s. 111-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systems linking people and nature, known as social-ecological systems, are increasingly understood as complex adaptive systems. Essential features of these complex adaptive systems – such as nonlinear feedbacks, strategic interactions, individual and spatial heterogeneity, and varying time scales – pose substantial challenges for modeling. However, ignoring these characteristics can distort our picture of how these systems work, causing policies to be less effective or even counterproductive. In this paper we present recent developments in modeling social-ecological systems, illustrate some of these challenges with examples related to coral reefs and grasslands, and identify the implications for economic and policy analysis.
|
|
14. |
|
|
15. |
- Das, Saudamini, et al.
(author)
-
Mangroves can provide protection against wind damage during storms
- 2013
-
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0272-7714 .- 1096-0015. ; 134, s. 98-107
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research has established that mangroves can protect lives and property from storms by buffering the impacts of storm surges. However, their effects in attenuating wind velocity and providing protection from wind damage during storms are not known. This study examined whether mangroves attenuate damage from cyclonic winds and found that they provide substantial protection to properties, even relatively far away from mangroves and the coast. We devised a theoretical model of wind protection by mangroves and calibrated and applied this model using data from the 1999 cyclone in the Odisha region of India. The model predicted and quantified the actual level of damage reasonably accurately and showed that mangroves reduced wind damage to houses. The wind protection value of mangroves in reducing house damage amounted to approximately US$177 per hectare at 1999 prices. This provides additional evidence of the storm protection ecosystem services that mangroves supply in the region and an additional reason to invest in mangrove ecosystems to provide better adaptability to coastal disasters such as storms.
|
|
16. |
- Elsler, Laura G., et al.
(author)
-
Social relationship dynamics mediate climate impacts on income inequality : evidence from the Mexican Humboldt squid fishery
- 2021
-
In: Regional Environmental Change. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1436-3798 .- 1436-378X. ; 21:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Small-scale fisheries are critically important for livelihoods around the world, particularly in tropical regions. However, climate variability and anthropogenic climate change may seriously impact small-scale fisheries by altering the abundance and distribution of target species. Social relationships between fishery users, such as fish traders, can determine how each individual responds and is affected by changes in fisheries. These informal cooperative and competitive relationships provide access, support, and incentives for fishing and affect the distribution of benefits. Yet, individuals' actions and impacts on individuals are often the primary focus of the economic analyses informing small-scale fisheries' formal management. This focus dismisses relevant social relationships. We argue that this leads to a disconnect between reality and its model representation used in formal management, which may reduce formal fisheries management's efficiency and efficacy and potentially trigger adverse consequences. Here, we examine this argument by comparing the predictions of a simple bioeconomic fishery model with those of a social-ecological model that incorporates the dynamics of cooperative relationships between fish traders. We illustrate model outcomes using an empirical case study in the Mexican Humboldt squid fishery. We find that (1) the social-ecological model with relationship dynamics substantially improves accuracy in predicting observed fishery variables to the simple bioeconomic model. (2) Income inequality outcomes are associated with changes in cooperative trade relationships. When environmental temperature is included in the model as a driver of species production dynamics, we find that climate-driven temperature variability drives a decline in catch that, in turn, reduce fishers' income. We observe an offset of this loss in income by including cooperative relationships between fish traders (oligopoly) in the model. These relationships break down following species distribution changes and result in an increase in prices fishers receive. Finally, (3) our social-ecological model simulations show that the current fishery development program, which seeks to increase fishers' income through an increase in domestic market demand, is supported by predictions from the simple bioeconomic model, may increase income inequality between fishers and traders. Our findings highlight the real and urgent need to re-think fisheries management models in the context of small-scale fisheries and climate change worldwide to encompass social relationship dynamics.
|
|
17. |
- Elsler, Laura G., et al.
(author)
-
Social relationship dynamics mediate climatic impacts on income inequality : evidence from the Mexican Humboldt squid fishery
-
Other publication (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Small-scale fisheries are ubiquitous and critically important around the world, but they are under serious threat from climatic changes and variability. Climate-driven redistribution of maximum fisheries catch potential is expected to be most severe across tropical regions where small-scale fisheries are widely governed through relationships between fishery users, i.e. fishers and traders. These informal cooperative and competitive relationships provide access, support, and incentives for fishing and affect benefit distribution in fisheries. Yet, their formal management is often informed by economic analyses that focus primarily on the actions of and impacts on individuals. We argue this leads to a disconnect between reality and its model representation, which may reduce the efficiency and efficacy of formal fisheries management and potentially trigger adverse consequences. Here, we examine this argument by comparing the predictions of a simple bioeconomic fishery model with those of a social-ecological model that incorporates the dynamics of cooperative and competitive trade relations in an illustrative, empirical showcase in the Mexican Humboldt squid fishery.We find that (1) the social-ecological model substantially improves accuracy in predicting observed fishery variables compared to the simple bioeconomic model, (2) climate-driven changes in cooperative trade relationships affect fishers’ income and income inequality, and (3) the current fishery development program, that is supported by the predictions of the simple bioeconomic model, may increase income inequality between fishers and traders. Our findings highlight the real and urgent need to re-think the current analytical boundaries of models in the context of small-scale fisheries and climate change worldwide to encompass social relationship dynamics.
|
|
18. |
- Elsler, Laura G.
(author)
-
The complexity of seafood trade relations across scales
- 2020
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- There is growing concern about the unprecedented rise in international seafood trade that relies on increasingly overused and climate-driven fisheries. Seafood trade relations, the multi-dimensional relations between fishers, traders, and countries for seafood exchange and other interactions, are central in the process of globalization. Despite empirical evidence of their importance, (bio-)economic models that inform fisheries management usually reduce trade relations to price dynamics. Here, I aim to understand better the role of seafood trade relations for models that guide the sustainable and equitable management of globalizing fisheries. I studied traders' collusion in Mexico (Paper I), fisher-trader relations in Indonesia (Paper II), countries trade relations in a global network study (Paper III), and fisher-market relations in a theoretical model (Paper IV). I demonstrate that seafood trade relations are affected by social-ecological change (SEC), such as climate change. Their responses, in turn, influence how other fishery actors, such as fishers, are affected. Together these interactions shape the importance of seafood trade relations to SEC. These insights suggest that seafood trade emerges from, interacts, and co-evolves with seafood trade relations across scales, which needs to be represented in management models that analyze the 'interplay of seafood trade relations with globalizing fisheries'.
|
|
19. |
- Folke, Carl, et al.
(author)
-
Reconnecting to the biosphere
- 2011
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 40:7, s. 719-738
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humanity has emerged as a major force in the operation of the biosphere, with a significant imprint on the Earth System, challenging social-ecological resilience. This new situation calls for a fundamental shift in perspectives, world views, and institutions. Human development and progress must be reconnected to the capacity of the biosphere and essential ecosystem services to be sustained. Governance challenges include a highly interconnected and faster world, cascading social-ecological interactions and planetary boundaries that create vulnerabilities but also opportunities for social-ecological change and transformation. Tipping points and thresholds highlight the importance of understanding and managing resilience. New modes of flexible governance are emerging. A central challenge is to reconnect these efforts to the changing preconditions for societal development as active stewards of the Earth System. We suggest that the Millennium Development Goals need to be reframed in such a planetary stewardship context combined with a call for a new social contract on global sustainability. The ongoing mind shift in human relations with Earth and its boundaries provides exciting opportunities for societal development in collaboration with the biosphere-a global sustainability agenda for humanity.
|
|
20. |
- Folke, Carl, et al.
(author)
-
Transnational corporations and the challenge of biosphere stewardship
- 2019
-
In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-334X. ; 3:10, s. 1396-1403
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sustainability within planetary boundaries requires concerted action by individuals, governments, civil society and private actors. For the private sector, there is concern that the power exercised by transnational corporations generates, and is even central to, global environmental change. Here, we ask under which conditions transnational corporations could either hinder or promote a global shift towards sustainability. We show that a handful of transnational corporations have become a major force shaping the global intertwined system of people and planet. Transnational corporations in agriculture, forestry, seafood, cement, minerals and fossil energy cause environmental impacts and possess the ability to influence critical functions of the biosphere. We review evidence of current practices and identify six observed features of change towards 'corporate biosphere stewardship', with significant potential for upscaling. Actions by transnational corporations, if combined with effective public policies and improved governmental regulations, could substantially accelerate sustainability efforts.
|
|
21. |
- Gascard, Jean-Claude, et al.
(author)
-
Facets of Arctic Change
- 2017
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 46, s. 339-340
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)
|
|
22. |
- Havenhand, Jonathan N., 1959, et al.
(author)
-
Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification : Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System
- 2019
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 48:8, s. 831-854
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ocean temperatures are rising; species are shifting poleward, and pH is falling (ocean acidification, OA). We summarise current understanding of OA in the brackish Baltic-Skagerrak System, focussing on the direct, indirect and interactive effects of OA with other anthropogenic drivers on marine biogeochemistry, organisms and ecosystems. Substantial recent advances reveal a pattern of stronger responses (positive or negative) of species than ecosystems, more positive responses at lower trophic levels and strong indirect interactions in food-webs. Common emergent themes were as follows: OA drives planktonic systems toward the microbial loop, reducing energy transfer to zooplankton and fish; and nutrient/food availability ameliorates negative impacts of OA. We identify several key areas for further research, notably the need for OA-relevant biogeochemical and ecosystem models, and understanding the ecological and evolutionary capacity of Baltic-Skagerrak ecosystems to respond to OA and other anthropogenic drivers.
|
|
23. |
- Homer-Dixon, Thomas, et al.
(author)
-
Synchronous failure : the emerging causal architecture of global crisis
- 2015
-
In: Ecology and Society. - 1708-3087. ; 20:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent global crises reveal an emerging pattern of causation that could increasingly characterize the birth and progress of future global crises. A conceptual framework identifies this pattern's deep causes, intermediate processes, and ultimate outcomes. The framework shows how multiple stresses can interact within a single social-ecological system to cause a shift in that system's behavior, how simultaneous shifts of this kind in several largely discrete social-ecological systems can interact to cause a far larger intersystemic crisis, and how such a larger crisis can then rapidly propagate across multiple system boundaries to the global scale. Case studies of the 2008-2009 financial-energy and food-energy crises illustrate the framework. Suggestions are offered for future research to explore further the framework's propositions.
|
|
24. |
- Jagers, Sverker, et al.
(author)
-
Societal causes of, and responses to, ocean acidification
- 2019
-
In: Ambio. - : Springer. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 48:8, s. 816-830
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Major climate and ecological changes affect the world's oceans leading to a number of responses including increasing water temperatures, changing weather patterns, shrinking ice-sheets, temperature-driven shifts in marine species ranges, biodiversity loss and bleaching of coral reefs. In addition, ocean pH is falling, a process known as ocean acidification (OA). The root cause of OA lies in human policies and behaviours driving society's dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in elevated CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. In this review, we detail the state of knowledge of the causes of, and potential responses to, OA with particular focus on Swedish coastal seas. We also discuss present knowledge gaps and implementation needs.
|
|
25. |
- Levin, Simon A., et al.
(author)
-
Governance in the Face of Extreme Events : Lessons from Evolutionary Processes for Structuring Interventions, and the Need to Go Beyond
- 2022
-
In: Ecosystems (New York. Print). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-9840 .- 1435-0629. ; 25:3, s. 697-711
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The increasing frequency of extreme events, exogenous and endogenous, poses challenges for our societies. The current pandemic is a case in point; but once-in-a-century weather events are also becoming more common, leading to erosion, wildfire and even volcanic events that change ecosystems and disturbance regimes, threaten the sustainability of our life-support systems, and challenge the robustness and resilience of societies. Dealing with extremes will require new approaches and large-scale collective action. Preemptive measures can increase general resilience, a first line of protection, while more specific reactive responses are developed. Preemptive measures also can minimize the negative effects of events that cannot be avoided. In this paper, we first explore approaches to prevention, mitigation and adaptation, drawing inspiration from how evolutionary challenges have made biological systems robust and resilient, and from the general theory of complex adaptive systems. We argue further that proactive steps that go beyond will be necessary to reduce unacceptable consequences.
|
|