title: Coupled human and natural systems.
abstract: Humans have continuously interacted with natural systems, resulting in the formation and development of coupled human and natural systems (CHANS). Recent studies reveal the complexity of organizational, spatial, and temporal couplings of CHANS. These couplings have evolved from direct to more indirect interactions, from adjacent to more distant linkages, from local to global scales, and from simple to complex patterns and processes. Untangling complexities, such as reciprocal effects and emergent properties, can lead to novel scientific discoveries and is essential to developing effective policies for ecological and socioeconomic sustainability. Opportunities for truly integrating various disciplines are emerging to address fundamental questions about CHANS and meet society's unprecedented challenges.
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: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Folke
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Elinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ostrom
authors.forename: Alice N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Pell
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lubchenco
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Zhiyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deadman
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Provencher
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D011640:Public Policy