Achieving Win–Win Solutions in Telecoupled Human–Land Systems

Xiaona Guo,Ruishan Chen,Michael E Meadows,Qiang Li

doi:10.3390/land10030272

Abstract

Telecoupling refers to socioeconomic and environmental interactions between distant places. Telecoupling is becoming even more significant in the increasingly globalized world and it plays a key role in the emergence of major global environmental problems. In particular, it contributes to land degradation and the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is a lack of systematic examination of the impacts of telecoupling on land system change, and how to respond to the undesirable impacts. Based on CiteSpace Software, here we analyze the current research status of telecoupled human–land systems, including publications, major scientific research institutions, and research processes. We explore the impacts of telecoupling on land and how to respond to these impacts. Finally, we propose a framework that is composed of impact identification, system integration, and responses to achieve a win-win situation in telecoupled human–land systems. The framework can help to create a sustainable future for telecoupled human–land systems.

Highlights

With the rapid growth of international trade, there are few regions in the world where the environment and natural resources are not affected by human activities initiated in other parts of the world in some way [1]
International trade, foreign investment, transnational land ownership transfer, species invasion, transfer of knowledge and technology, tourism, and payment for ecosystem services can all be considered as components of telecoupling [2]
Through a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to explore the influence of telecoupling on land and to reveal how this concept may improve the prospects of achieving sustainable development

Summary

Introduction

With the rapid growth of international trade, there are few regions in the world where the environment and natural resources are not affected by human activities initiated in other parts of the world in some way [1]. Economic globalization is driving environmental change, resulting in a broad range of impacts on society. Interactions between socioeconomic and environmental processes over long distances are embodied in the term telecoupling [2]. International trade, foreign investment, transnational land ownership transfer, species invasion, transfer of knowledge and technology, tourism, and payment for ecosystem services can all be considered as components of telecoupling [2]. Understanding the role of telecoupling in relation to land is important in addressing major global issues such as climate change, species invasion, biodiversity conservation, resource depletion, and land degradation

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