Abstract
Addressing the sustainability challenges facing humanity in the Anthropocene requires the coupling of human and natural systems, rather than their separate treatment. To understand the dynamics of a coupled human and natural system (CHANS) and promote its sustainability, we proposed a conceptual cascade framework of “Pattern-Process-Service-Sustainability”. The use of this framework was systematically illustrated by a review of CHANS research experiences in China’s Loess Plateau (LP) in terms of coupling landscape patterns and ecological processes, linking ecological processes to services, and promoting social-ecological sustainability. The LP is well-known for its historically notorious soil erosion and successful vegetation restoration achieved in recent decades. Vegetation coverage in the LP has increased since 2000 due to ecological restoration. Soil erosion has been well controlled and the sediment deriving from the LP, and flowing into the Yellow River, has greatly decreased; however, overplanting, the introduction of exotic plant species, and the mismanagement of planted vegetation have also led to soil drying in some areas. Ecosystem services, especially for soil conservation and carbon sequestration, have significantly improved, although a trade-off between carbon sequestration and water supply has been identified at multiple scales. Based on the comprehensive understanding of CHANS dynamics, targeted policy and management suggestions are here proposed to support the social-ecological sustainability of the LP. The research experience accumulated on the LP offers examples of the application of the “Pattern-Process-Service-Sustainability” framework. Future research using this framework should especially examine the integrated research of multiple processes, the cascades of ecosystem structure, function, services, and human-wellbeing, the feedback mechanisms of human and natural systems, and the data and models for sustainability.
Highlights
In the Anthropocene, accelerated landscape modification and climate change driven by human activities are altering the earth’s surface processes, leading to a series of social and environmental issues (Steffen et al, 2007; Lewis and Maslin, 2015)
We proposed a conceptual cascade framework of “Pattern-Process-Service-Sustainability” to observe, analyze, and predict the 390 dynamics of coupled human and natural systems (CHANSs) and support the design of policies and measures that promote sustainability
To illustrate the use of this framework, this study systematically examined the CHANS research experiences in China’s Loess Plateau (LP), in terms of coupling landscape patterns and ecological processes, linking ecological processes to services, and promoting social-ecological sustainability
Summary
In the Anthropocene, accelerated landscape modification and climate change driven by human activities are altering the earth’s surface processes, leading to a series of social and environmental issues (Steffen et al, 2007; Lewis and Maslin, 2015). Both environmental changes and human activities can affect the interactions between landscape patterns and ecosystem processes, and directly or indirectly affect the ESs upon which humans depend (Fu et al, 2019) Among these factors, land use optimization is a feasible and effective way to improve the sustainability of CHANSs, providing an important opportunity to bridge science and policy. By altering ecosystem patterns and processes, humanity can obtain desired services such as provision of food, freshwater, and timber, but this often leads to declines in some other services (Bennett et al, 2009) This trade-off effect is due to the complex relationship between ecosystem processes and ESs. understanding the complex relationships between ESs requires linking ecosystem processes and ESs, which could support optimized ecosystem management measures (e.g., minimize trade-offs and maximize synergies) and the sustainability of CHANSs (Fu et al, 2013). Scientists and decision makers need to focus more on the changes of demand and wellbeing of in the LP following ecological restoration, and on the flow and transfer of ESs between regions
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