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Currie TE, Borgerhoff Mulder M, Fogarty L, Schlüter M, Folke C, Haider LJ, Caniglia G, Tavoni A, Jansen REV, Jørgensen PS, Waring TM. Integrating evolutionary theory and social-ecological systems research to address the sustainability challenges of the Anthropocene. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220262. [PMID: 37952618 PMCID: PMC10645068 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid, human-induced changes in the Earth system during the Anthropocene present humanity with critical sustainability challenges. Social-ecological systems (SES) research provides multiple approaches for understanding the complex interactions between humans, social systems, and environments and how we might direct them towards healthier and more resilient futures. However, general theories of SES change have yet to be fully developed. Formal evolutionary theory has been applied as a dynamic theory of change of complex phenomena in biology and the social sciences, but rarely in SES research. In this paper, we explore the connections between both fields, hoping to foster collaboration. After sketching out the distinct intellectual traditions of SES research and evolutionary theory, we map some of their terminological and theoretical connections. We then provide examples of how evolutionary theory might be incorporated into SES research through the use of systems mapping to identify evolutionary processes in SES, the application of concepts from evolutionary developmental biology to understand the connections between systems changes and evolutionary changes, and how evolutionary thinking may help design interventions for beneficial change. Integrating evolutionary theory and SES research can lead to a better understanding of SES changes and positive interventions for a more sustainable Anthropocene. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E. Currie
- Human Behaviour and Cultural Evolution Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Monique Borgerhoff Mulder
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laurel Fogarty
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maja Schlüter
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl Folke
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L. Jamila Haider
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Alessandro Tavoni
- Department of Economics, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Raf E. V. Jansen
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Søgaard Jørgensen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timothy M. Waring
- Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5710, USA
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Andrade R, van Riper CJ, Goodson D, Johnson DN, Stewart W. Learning pathways for engagement: Understanding drivers of pro-environmental behavior in the context of protected area management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 323:116204. [PMID: 36116262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The participation of local communities in management decisions is critically important to the long-term salience and therefore, success, of protected areas. Engaging community members in meaningful ways requires knowledge of their behavior and its antecedents, particularly values. Understanding how learning influences cooperation in conservation initiatives is also fundamentally important for supporting decisions being made about public lands. However, there is little empirical evidence of how learning from different information sources works in conjunction with values that shape behavior. Using data from a household survey of residents living in the Denali region of Interior Alaska, U.S, we estimated a two-step structural equation model to understand the psychological reasons why stakeholders made decisions to collectively benefit the environment. Results showed that more diverse pathways by which learning occurred were instrumental in explaining why residents performed pro-environmental behaviors over the past year. Additionally, values that reflected the goals of eudaimonia influenced the transfer and negotiation of knowledge exchange among stakeholders as a correlate of behavior. Environmental concern and personal norms were positively associated with reported behaviors operationalized as social environmentalism and living in an environmentally conscientious manner, whereas environmental concern and willingness to pay for protected area management positively influenced civic engagement. We argue that broadening the range of learning spaces and considering a more diverse array of values in communities surrounding protected areas will encourage daily lifestyle changes, social interactions to support environmentalism, and more robust, pluralistic forms of public engagement in natural resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley Andrade
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Carena J van Riper
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Devin Goodson
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Dana N Johnson
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; University of British Columbia, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 429-2202 Main Mall Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - William Stewart
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, 104 George Huff Hall, 1206 S 4th St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
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Goodson DJ, Riper CJ, Andrade R, Cebrián‐Piqueras MA, Hauber ME. Perceived inclusivity and trust in protected area management decisions among stakeholders in Alaska. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Devin J. Goodson
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Carena J. Riper
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Riley Andrade
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | | | - Mark E. Hauber
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
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Salerno J, Romulo C, Galvin KA, Brooks J, Mupeta‐Muyamwa P, Glew L. Adaptation and evolution of institutions and governance in community‐based conservation. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Salerno
- Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Chelsie Romulo
- Department of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability University of Northern Colorado Greeley Colorado USA
| | - Kathleen A Galvin
- Department of Anthropology and Geography, The Africa Center Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Jeremy Brooks
- School of Environment and Natural Resources Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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