title: Complexity of coupled human and natural systems.
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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. jliu@panda.msu.edu
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Folke
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Alice N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Pell
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deadman
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lubchenco
authors.forename: Elinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ostrom
authors.forename: Zhiyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001938:Brazil; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D006802:Human Activities; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012961:Sociology; D013548:Sweden; D014481:United States