Understanding Human–Landscape Interactions in the ” Anthropocene”

Autores

Harden, C.P., Chin, A., English, M.R., Fu, R., Galvin, K.A., Gerlak, A., McDowell, P.F., McNamara, D.E., Peterson, J.M., Poff, L., Rosa, E.A., Solecki, W.D. and Wohl, E.

Publicado en

Environmental Management, v. Vol. 53(1):4-13

Año de publicación

2014

Afiliaciones

Department of Geography, University of Tennessee, 304 Burchfiel Geog Bldg, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80217, USA
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Department of Anthropology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
International Studies Association and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 974032-1251, USA
Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4011, USA
Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Department of Sociology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
Department of Geography, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10021, USA
Geosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

Programa

CRN3

Proyecto

CRN3056

Keywords

Human impacts, Human–landscape interactions, Human adaptation, Landscape change, Interdisciplinary research, Anthropocene

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0082-0

Resumen

This article summarizes the primary outcomes of an interdisciplinary workshop in 2010, sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation, focused on developing key questions and integrative themes for advancing the science of human&ndashlandscape systems. The workshop was a response to a grand challenge identified recently by the U.S. National Research Council (2010a)&mdash&ldquoHow will Earth&rsquos surface evolve in the &ldquoAnthropocene?&rdquo&mdashsuggesting that new theories and methodological approaches are needed to tackle increasingly complex human&ndashlandscape interactions in the new era. A new science of human&ndashlandscape systems recognizes the interdependence of hydro-geomorphological, ecological, and human processes and functions. Advances within a range of disciplines spanning the physical, biological, and social sciences are therefore needed to contribute toward interdisciplinary research that lies at the heart of the science. Four integrative research themes were identified&mdashthresholds/tipping points, time scales and time lags, spatial scales and boundaries, and feedback loops&mdashserving as potential focal points around which theory can be built for human&ndashlandscape systems. Implementing the integrative themes requires that the research communities: (1) establish common metrics to describe and quantify human, biological, and geomorphological systems (2) develop new ways to integrate diverse data and methods and (3) focus on synthesis, generalization, and meta-analyses, as individual case studies continue to accumulate. Challenges to meeting these needs center on effective communication and collaboration across diverse disciplines spanning the natural and social scientific divide. Creating venues and mechanisms for sustained focused interdisciplinary collaborations, such as synthesis centers, becomes extraordinarily important for advancing the science.