Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-55 |
| Number of pages | 55 |
| Journal | Ecology and society |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Abstract
Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide crucial ecosystem services to over half of humanity. However, populations living in these highly varied regions are now confronted by global change. It is critical that they are able to anticipate change to strategically manage resources and avoid potential conflict. Yet, planning for sustainable, equitable transitions for the future is a daunting task, considering the range of uncertainties and the unique character of MtSES. Participatory scenario planning (PSP) can help MtSES communities by critically reflecting on a wider array of innovative pathways for adaptive transformation. Although the design of effective approaches has been widely discussed, how PSP has been employed in MtSES has yet to be examined. Here, we present the first systematic global review of single- and multiscalar, multisectoral PSP undertaken in MtSES, in which we characterize the process, identify strengths and gaps, and suggest effective ways to apply PSP in MtSES. We used a nine-step process to help guide the analysis of 42 studies from 1989 screened articles. Our results indicate a steady increase in relevant studies since 2006, with 43% published between 2015 and 2017. These studies encompass 39 countries, with over 50% in Europe. PSP in MtSES is used predominantly to build cooperation, social learning, collaboration, and decision support, yet meeting these objectives is hindered by insufficient engagement with intended end users. MtSES PSP has focused largely on envisioning themes of governance, economy, land use change, and biodiversity, but has overlooked themes such as gender equality, public health, and sanitation. There are many avenues to expand and improve PSP in MtSES: to other regions, sectors, across a greater diversity of stakeholders, and with a specific focus on MtSES paradoxes. Communicating uncertainty, monitoring and evaluating impacts, and engendering more comparative approaches can further increase the utility of PSP for addressing MtSES challenges, with lessons for other complex social-ecological systems.
Keywords
- Adaptive transformation, Alpine, Coupled natural-human systems, Highlands, Montane, Planetary boundaries, Stewardship, Sustainability science, Transdisciplinary
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Ecology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Ecology and society, Vol. 25, No. 3, 6, 2020, p. 1-55.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A systematic review of participatory scenario planning to envision mountain social-ecological systems futures
AU - Thorn, Jessica P.R.
AU - Klein, Julia A.
AU - Steger, Cara
AU - Hopping, Kelly A.
AU - Capitani, Claudia
AU - Tucker, Catherine M.
AU - Nolin, Anne W.
AU - Reid, Robin S.
AU - Seidl, Roman
AU - Chitale, Vishwas S.
AU - Marchant, Robert
N1 - Funding Information: The National Science Foundation’s Research Coordination Networks (RCN), as part of the project Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network, Grant Agreement Number NSF #DEB 1414106, supported this work. Thanks are due to research assistants Emily Sinkular, Alissa Allen, and Danielle Palm. We are grateful for the valuable discussions within the Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network (https://mountainsentinels.org/) workshop
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide crucial ecosystem services to over half of humanity. However, populations living in these highly varied regions are now confronted by global change. It is critical that they are able to anticipate change to strategically manage resources and avoid potential conflict. Yet, planning for sustainable, equitable transitions for the future is a daunting task, considering the range of uncertainties and the unique character of MtSES. Participatory scenario planning (PSP) can help MtSES communities by critically reflecting on a wider array of innovative pathways for adaptive transformation. Although the design of effective approaches has been widely discussed, how PSP has been employed in MtSES has yet to be examined. Here, we present the first systematic global review of single- and multiscalar, multisectoral PSP undertaken in MtSES, in which we characterize the process, identify strengths and gaps, and suggest effective ways to apply PSP in MtSES. We used a nine-step process to help guide the analysis of 42 studies from 1989 screened articles. Our results indicate a steady increase in relevant studies since 2006, with 43% published between 2015 and 2017. These studies encompass 39 countries, with over 50% in Europe. PSP in MtSES is used predominantly to build cooperation, social learning, collaboration, and decision support, yet meeting these objectives is hindered by insufficient engagement with intended end users. MtSES PSP has focused largely on envisioning themes of governance, economy, land use change, and biodiversity, but has overlooked themes such as gender equality, public health, and sanitation. There are many avenues to expand and improve PSP in MtSES: to other regions, sectors, across a greater diversity of stakeholders, and with a specific focus on MtSES paradoxes. Communicating uncertainty, monitoring and evaluating impacts, and engendering more comparative approaches can further increase the utility of PSP for addressing MtSES challenges, with lessons for other complex social-ecological systems.
AB - Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide crucial ecosystem services to over half of humanity. However, populations living in these highly varied regions are now confronted by global change. It is critical that they are able to anticipate change to strategically manage resources and avoid potential conflict. Yet, planning for sustainable, equitable transitions for the future is a daunting task, considering the range of uncertainties and the unique character of MtSES. Participatory scenario planning (PSP) can help MtSES communities by critically reflecting on a wider array of innovative pathways for adaptive transformation. Although the design of effective approaches has been widely discussed, how PSP has been employed in MtSES has yet to be examined. Here, we present the first systematic global review of single- and multiscalar, multisectoral PSP undertaken in MtSES, in which we characterize the process, identify strengths and gaps, and suggest effective ways to apply PSP in MtSES. We used a nine-step process to help guide the analysis of 42 studies from 1989 screened articles. Our results indicate a steady increase in relevant studies since 2006, with 43% published between 2015 and 2017. These studies encompass 39 countries, with over 50% in Europe. PSP in MtSES is used predominantly to build cooperation, social learning, collaboration, and decision support, yet meeting these objectives is hindered by insufficient engagement with intended end users. MtSES PSP has focused largely on envisioning themes of governance, economy, land use change, and biodiversity, but has overlooked themes such as gender equality, public health, and sanitation. There are many avenues to expand and improve PSP in MtSES: to other regions, sectors, across a greater diversity of stakeholders, and with a specific focus on MtSES paradoxes. Communicating uncertainty, monitoring and evaluating impacts, and engendering more comparative approaches can further increase the utility of PSP for addressing MtSES challenges, with lessons for other complex social-ecological systems.
KW - Adaptive transformation
KW - Alpine
KW - Coupled natural-human systems
KW - Highlands
KW - Montane
KW - Planetary boundaries
KW - Stewardship
KW - Sustainability science
KW - Transdisciplinary
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85090815226&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5751/ES-11608-250306
DO - 10.5751/ES-11608-250306
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85090815226
VL - 25
SP - 1
EP - 55
JO - Ecology and society
JF - Ecology and society
SN - 1708-3087
IS - 3
M1 - 6
ER -