The problem of spatial fit in social-ecological systems: detecting mismatches between ecological connectivity and land management in an urban region

Arvid Bergsten,Örjan Bodin,Diego Galafassi

doi:10.5751/es-06931-190406

Abstract

Bergsten, A., D. Galafassi, and Ö. Bodin. 2014. The problem of spatial fit in social-ecological systems: detecting mismatches between ecological connectivity and land management in an urban region. Ecology and Society 19(4): 6. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-06931-190406

Highlights

IntroductionThe problem of fit in social-ecological systems has been documented and discussed for decades and shown to constrain the integration of conservation and development goals (Folke et al 1998, 2007, Young 2002, Brown 2003, Berkes 2006, Cumming et al 2006, Borowski et al 2008, Brondizio et al 2009, Guerrero et al 2013)
We focus on the latter case, in which the degree of spatial fit depends on the collaboration between actors, each governing only a part of the larger area defined by the focal ecological processes
The method only requires that managers and resources are spatially associated; i.e., that actors interact with different parts of the landscape

Summary

Introduction

The problem of fit in social-ecological systems has been documented and discussed for decades and shown to constrain the integration of conservation and development goals (Folke et al 1998, 2007, Young 2002, Brown 2003, Berkes 2006, Cumming et al 2006, Borowski et al 2008, Brondizio et al 2009, Guerrero et al 2013). Ekstrom and Young (2009) developed an approach that measures the functional fit between a part of an ecosystem and a set of institutions Another transdisciplinary model for evaluating social-ecological fit was presented by Bodin and Tengö (2012) and extended by Bodin et al (2014). Boundary mismatches are impossible to resolve if the focal ecological processes are not contained within the spatial jurisdiction of either a single high-level actor responsible for the whole area or by several lower level actors who collaborate and together constitute a coherent governance system at the larger scale (Pelosi et al 2010, Termeer et al 2010). We focus on the latter case, in which the degree of spatial fit depends on the collaboration between actors, each governing only a part of the larger area defined by the focal ecological processes

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion