Social-ecological system research in a changing world: State of the art and future challenges
January 15, 2025 - Wang, Yixu; Gong, Jie; Yang, Zhihui; Zhu, Yuehua
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EmailJournal or Book Title: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.144725
Abstract: Social-ecological system (SES) offer a comprehensive scientific framework for comprehending the intricate processes and interactions between natural and human systems to address the challenges of sustainable development. Given the growing global research on SES and its applications, it is crucial to explore the advancements and challenges in SES research and their implications. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace along with a formal review of peer-reviewed literature on SES research. The findings indicate that SES has gained significant attention, evidenced by an ever-increasing number of published articles. There is close cooperation between authors/countries that have published in this field. Environmental science (40.61%), environmental studies (35.74%), and ecology (26.85%) are the main disciplinary categories in SES research. Additionally, this study identified four major themes within SES studies: 1) theoretical frameworks and research methods; 2) dynamics and drivers; 3) synthetical evaluation; and 4) management practices based on the SES principle. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges faced by SES research along with potential solutions moving forward. Future investigations should prioritize multi-source data collection techniques and technologies, explore interactions between social and ecological systems, engage in long-term social-ecological research endeavors, and strengthen multi-objective and cross-scale integrated management, thereby facilitating knowledgebased policymaking and practical applications. This review provides novel insights into the current progress within the field of SES while also highlighting existing challenges-ultimately contributing towards an enhanced understanding of SES that can be effectively integrated into policymaking efforts and management.
Type of Publication: Review