240
which it may be necessary to have a working knowledge to understand a nexus
problem, and for which it may require mastery and new research to solve. This discussion of ecosystem concepts and mechanisms in Sect. 9.2 is organized into the
following categories:
• Hydrological and biogeochemical cycles
• Energy flow
• Land and soil
• Biota
Core natural science concepts within these overarching topics that will be discussed include variability, disturbance, storage, weathering, resilience, ecosystem diversity, carrying capacity, adaptation, feedback loops, and trophic,
pathogenic, and toxicant interactions. There are of course many other important
concepts and interactions to understand in ecological systems but the intention here
is to build somewhat upon the basics learned in introductory natural sciences courses
toward nexus scientific understanding.
Because the water cycle is discussed at length in Sect. 2.5, and Chap. 11 addresses
climate change, this chapter focuses more attention on other dynamics. To the extent
that natural ecological systems can be viewed as part of natural infrastructure, the
concepts outlined in Chap. 10 also may be adapted for understanding ecosystems,
particularly interdependency, cascading failures, robustness, buffering,
and others.
9.1.2 Socio-ecological Systems: A Framing for Ecosystems
in the Nexus?
Socio-ecological systems are an approach or framing that starts with the premise
that humans and nature are deeply integrated and that they should be understood as
one integrated system. As has been outlined above, this is evidenced by the fact that
all ecosystems are shaped by people, and all people need ecosystems. This is especially true in our highly globalized and heavily populated world.
Ecosystems are prototypical complex adaptive systems (see Sect. 2.2) in that
they are composed of many diverse entities that interact within networks. Complex
adaptive systems demonstrate specific characteristics that are important for framing
and understanding the criticality of ecosystems at the nexus and for finding solutions that best manage nexus interactions and cross-sectoral trade-offs for decision
makers. These include:
• Sudden transitions and tipping-points. Complex systems show non-linear
dynamics. They may suddenly move from a high degree of stability to
instability.
• Limited predictability. The unpredictable behavior of complex adaptive systems makes them difficult to predict, and therefore, history cannot be a predictor
of future events and results in a great deal of uncertainty.
N. Matthews et al.
which it may be necessary to have a working knowledge to understand a nexus
problem, and for which it may require mastery and new research to solve. This discussion of ecosystem concepts and mechanisms in Sect. 9.2 is organized into the
following categories:
• Hydrological and biogeochemical cycles
• Energy flow
• Land and soil
• Biota
Core natural science concepts within these overarching topics that will be discussed include variability, disturbance, storage, weathering, resilience, ecosystem diversity, carrying capacity, adaptation, feedback loops, and trophic,
pathogenic, and toxicant interactions. There are of course many other important
concepts and interactions to understand in ecological systems but the intention here
is to build somewhat upon the basics learned in introductory natural sciences courses
toward nexus scientific understanding.
Because the water cycle is discussed at length in Sect. 2.5, and Chap. 11 addresses
climate change, this chapter focuses more attention on other dynamics. To the extent
that natural ecological systems can be viewed as part of natural infrastructure, the
concepts outlined in Chap. 10 also may be adapted for understanding ecosystems,
particularly interdependency, cascading failures, robustness, buffering,
and others.
9.1.2 Socio-ecological Systems: A Framing for Ecosystems
in the Nexus?
Socio-ecological systems are an approach or framing that starts with the premise
that humans and nature are deeply integrated and that they should be understood as
one integrated system. As has been outlined above, this is evidenced by the fact that
all ecosystems are shaped by people, and all people need ecosystems. This is especially true in our highly globalized and heavily populated world.
Ecosystems are prototypical complex adaptive systems (see Sect. 2.2) in that
they are composed of many diverse entities that interact within networks. Complex
adaptive systems demonstrate specific characteristics that are important for framing
and understanding the criticality of ecosystems at the nexus and for finding solutions that best manage nexus interactions and cross-sectoral trade-offs for decision
makers. These include:
• Sudden transitions and tipping-points. Complex systems show non-linear
dynamics. They may suddenly move from a high degree of stability to
instability.
• Limited predictability. The unpredictable behavior of complex adaptive systems makes them difficult to predict, and therefore, history cannot be a predictor
of future events and results in a great deal of uncertainty.
N. Matthews et al.