Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Environmental decision making and an ecosystems approach: Some challenges from the perspective of social science

Fish, R (2011) Environmental decision making and an ecosystems approach: Some challenges from the perspective of social science. Progress in Physical Geography, 35 (5). pp. 671-680. ISSN 0309-1333. E-ISSN 1477-0296. (doi:10.1177/0309133311420941) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:59873)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309133311420941

Abstract

This paper explores issues of theoretical design and application arising from ecosystem service based approaches to natural resource management. Conserving ecosystem services is now a key normative goal of environmental decision making, but the implications of embracing this concept are still little understood. In this paper I highlight two recurring and cross-cutting aspects of an ecosystems approach around which credible treatments of ecosystem services can be realized, not only in theory, but also in practice: first, the need to think 'holistically' about how any given project, proposal or plan would impact on service provision and human well-being; and, second, the need to manage ecosystem services in relation to wider stakeholder values, needs and priorities. While thinking about decision making from the perspective of ecosystem services is no panacea for sustainability, the paper points to a number of social science issues that interdisciplinary researchers could usefully address in these two contexts if they are to harness this concept in creative and critically engaged ways. © The Author(s) 2011.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/0309133311420941
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: AD - Centre for Rural Policy Research, College of Social Sciences and International Studies, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom [Field not mapped to EPrints] DB - Scopus [Field not mapped to EPrints] M3 - Article [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: ecosystem services, ecosystems approach, social science, theory and application
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Robert Fish
Date Deposited: 17 Jan 2017 10:22 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:24 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/59873 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.