Complexity of coupled human and natural systems

Jianguo Liu, Thomas Dietz, Stephen R. Carpenter, Marina Alberti, Carl Folke, Emilio Moran, Alice N. Pell, Peter Deadman, Timothy Kratz, Jane Lubchenco, Elinor Ostrom, Zhiyun Ouyang, William Provencher, Charles Redman, Stephen H. Schneider, William W. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2532 Scopus citations

Abstract

Integrated studies of coupled human and natural systems reveal new and complex patterns and processes not evident when studied by social or natural scientists separately. Synthesis of six case studies from around the world shows that couplings between human and natural systems vary across space, time, and organizational units. They also exhibit nonlinear dynamics with thresholds, reciprocal feedback loops, time lags, resilience, heterogeneity, and surprises. Furthermore, past couplings have legacy effects on present conditions and future possibilities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1513-1516
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume317
Issue number5844
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 14 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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