Panarchy: Understanding Transformations In Human And Natural Systems
by C. S. Holling /
2001 / English / PDF
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The book examines theories (models) of how systems (those of
humans, nature, and combined humannatural systems) function, and
attempts to understand those theories and how they can help
researchers develop effective institutions and policies for
environmental management. The fundamental question this book asks
is whether or not it is possible to get beyond seeing environment
as a sub-component of social systems, and society as a
sub-component of ecological systems, that is, to understand
human-environment interactions as their own unique system. After
examining the similarities and differences among human and natural
systems, as well as the means by which they can be accounted for in
theories and models, the book examines five efforts to describe
human-natural systems. The point of these efforts is to provide the
means of learning about those systems so that they can be managed
adaptively. The final section of the book uses case studies to
examine the application of integrated theories/models to the real
world.
The book examines theories (models) of how systems (those of
humans, nature, and combined humannatural systems) function, and
attempts to understand those theories and how they can help
researchers develop effective institutions and policies for
environmental management. The fundamental question this book asks
is whether or not it is possible to get beyond seeing environment
as a sub-component of social systems, and society as a
sub-component of ecological systems, that is, to understand
human-environment interactions as their own unique system. After
examining the similarities and differences among human and natural
systems, as well as the means by which they can be accounted for in
theories and models, the book examines five efforts to describe
human-natural systems. The point of these efforts is to provide the
means of learning about those systems so that they can be managed
adaptively. The final section of the book uses case studies to
examine the application of integrated theories/models to the real
world.