Abstract
Huntsinger, L., and J. L. Oviedo. 2014. Ecosystem services are social–ecological services in a traditional pastoral system: the case of California’s Mediterranean rangelands. Ecology and Society 19(1): 8. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-06143-190108
Highlights
The term “ecosystem services” was coined to express the value of natural systems to human well-being
Using a social–ecological systems perspective, we explore the integral role of human activity and decisions at pasture, ranch, and landscape scales
Using California’s Mediterranean rangelands as a study area, we suggest that using a multiscaled approach that considers the importance of the differing drivers and processes at each scale and the interactions among scales, and that incorporates social–ecological systems concepts, may help avoid mistakes caused by narrow assumptions about “natural” systems, and a lack of understanding of the need for integrated, multiscaled conservation programs
Summary
The term “ecosystem services” was coined to express the value of natural systems to human well-being. California’s Mediterranean rangelands, or the woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands of the Mediterranean climate zone (Fig. 1), offer an example of the importance of attention to the interaction of social and ecological processes at different scales in the production of ecosystem services. We use scale to examine the social–ecological processes and interactions that support the production of ecosystem services on California’s Mediterranean rangelands, with due attention to the role of human practice and processes at each scale. Synergistic opportunities for ecosystem service production include diversification of income streams in environmentally positive ways, and finding ways for landowners to benefit financially from the ecosystem services provided by rangelands Threats at this level include lack of economic sustainability, increased management costs and opportunity costs from competing uses, and the lack of an heir interested in ranching (Brunson and Huntsinger 2008).
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