Living System Perspective on Ecosystem Services
Summary
Within the last decade, the Earth has become recognized as a coupled social- ecological system, where human activities significantly impact the functioning of the earth system, its ecosystems, and vice versa. Currently, the ecosystem services framework still shows a mechanistic perspective of "nature for people". Based on limited social-ecological integration, this view gives the illusion that humans can exploit and control nature to their benefit via a one-way utilitarian relationship whilst perceiving humanity to be outside the system. Therefore, it is time for a paradigm change within the ecosystem services framework by thinking about social-ecological relationships and dynamics rather than treating planetary and ecosystem processes as separate biophysical systems occasionally perturbed by human activity. This thesis attempts to build a bridge between the social and ecological realms by placing the ecosystem services concept into a living system perspective. Showing through exergy how ecosystems can be viewed as living sys- tems whilst adding a foundational layer to the ecosystem services concept. We intend to increase the knowledge of decision-makers within policy and practice on the basic functioning of ecosystems by explaining how ecosystems have evolved to sustain themselves over time. Where we hope that this foundational layer can be used in the future as guidelines when working with the ecosystem service concept.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The importance of cultural ecosystem services and their evaluation in the context of ecosystem service assessment frameworks - Comparative study of users’ perceptions (preferences) of cultural ecosystem services and disservices in and outside the city of Leipzig
Helka, J. (2016)Human beings are strongly connected with their surrounded environment. The dependencies range from resource supply for human use, ecosystem service provision, to contributions to human wellbeing and welfare. Ecosystem ... -
Wild boar rewilding in Border Park Kempen~Broek: An analysis of ecosystem services and disservices
Pulles, R. (2021)Rewilding is an increasingly popular way of restoring ecosystems by maintaining or increasing biodiversity while reducing the impacts of human interventions through restoration of species and ecological processes. It is ... -
Wetland restoration in an agricultural basin. Linking hydrologic response, optimal location, ecosystem services and stakeholder opinions
Verhagen, W. (2013)Wetland restoration in agricultural basins with artificial drainage is seen as a promising strategy to improve water quality and reduce erosion. A case-study is conducted in the Le Sueur River Basin (LSRB), Minnesota, USA, ...