Fischer, A., & Eastwood, A. (2016).

Coproduction of ecosystem services as human–nature

interactions—An analytical framework. Land use policy, 52, 41-50.

doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.12.004

This study by Fischer and Eastwood was conducted through a qualitative interview of forty-

seven participants from Falkland Estate in Fife, Scotland, UK to discuss the structure and

processes of the ecosystem and to analyze human-nature interaction in providing ecosystem

services. Ecosystem services help build human capabilities and identities as described in

previous studies. However, this study emphasized that human identities and capabilities also

influence human’s role in the co-production of ecosystem services; experiences of the

interviewees confirm this. The identities derived from the participants are comprised of outdoor-

identity, memories, experiences, upbringing, skills and preferred activities, social roles and

perspectives, psychological state, sense of place and alternative identities. Further, capabilities

obtained include wealth, physical capabilities, skills and knowledge, social structures (rights) and

confidence. Personal, social and environmental factors control people’s identities, and their

capabilities to derive benefits on the ecosystem. Therefore, more attention should be given to

human contribution to ecosystem services in research, management, and policy making.

Fischer, J., Gardner, T. A., Bennett, E. M., Balvanera, P., Biggs, R., Carpenter, S., ... & Luthe, T.

(2015). Advancing sustainability through mainstreaming a social–ecological systems

perspective. Current opinion in environmental sustainability, 14, 144-149.

doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2015.06.002

Fischer et al. reviewed in this paper the concept of social-ecological systems and its

developments in sustainability science and practice. Social-ecological systems (SES) are models
that characterize the interdependent and interconnected systems of people and nature. This paper

highlights the dependence of humanity on nature and our ethical obligations towards it. Four

advancements in the sustainability science field through SES are recognized in this study: (1)

growing recognition of human and environment interconnection, (2) rising communication and

collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders, (3) increasing conceptual and methodological

pluralism to solve real-world problems, and (4) the beginning of SES in influencing major policy

frameworks. Yet, these fall short to attain environmental sustainability, hence, this study presents

four priority areas that need to be improved: (1) development of international cooperation, (2)

giving greater attention to long-term driver whereas increasing attention to slow drivers is also

important, (3) better understanding of power relations, equity, justice and ecosystem stewardship

interactions, and (4) better commitments by stakeholders to support these efforts. With all the

information provided by the authors, this study suggests SES to be a relevant environmental

management tool in progressing toward sustainable development.

Hălbac-Cotoară-Zamfir, R., Keesstra, S., & Kalantari, Z. (2019). The impact of political, socio-

economic and cultural factors on implementing environment friendly techniques for

sustainable land management and climate change mitigation in Romania. Science of the

Total Environment, 654, 418-429. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.160

Three important environment management concepts that greatly affect the land management and

climate change mitigation in Romania are discussed in this study which includes:

sustainable land management (SLM), environment friendly techniques (EFTs), and

nature-based solutions (NBSs). SLM is the use of land resources to produce goods while

ensuring long-term productivity and environmental protection. Meanwhile, EFTs and

 NBSs are actions and solutions to implement SLM while effectively and adaptively

addressing changes in society while benefiting humans and biodiversity. Four major

periods in the history of Romania characterized by different political regimes are outlined

in this research to compare the influences of political decisions, socio-economic

situations and cultural or traditional characters on these three concepts. As observed in

this paper, political governance and its resulting state condition, and socio-economic

situations particularly in agrarian reforms positively and negatively influenced the

implementation of EFTs and NBSs, while cultural factors have the least impact. This

study gives specific and detailed examples and provides an understanding on how socio-

economic, cultural and political system influence and define the capacity of EFTs and

NBSs and how these tools help to improve ecological and social sustainability, mitigate

the effects of climate change and secure long-term productivity.

Kapoor, I. (2001). Towards participatory environmental management?. Journal of environmental

management, 63(3), 269-279. doi:10.1006/jema.2001.0478

Kapoor discusses the main principles, challenges, and dangers in the shift from mainstream to

participatory environmental management (EM). He described that mainstream EM views nature

as inanimate and passive, and as independent from humans; where humans exploit, manage,

degrade and consume nature as a resource without worrying about its consequences. This

approach considers only the natural environment, producing negative consequences in socio-

economic and political aspects. Increasing criticism against mainstream EM initiated shift

towards participatory EM, which is decentralized and community-oriented; it prioritizes people

and equity before growth and highlights inclusion and marginalization. This article examines two
contrasting forms of environmental management, making it a well-grounded reference. It also

discusses the role of the society, the community, and its people in managing the environment.

However, concerns are noticed in its practice including more time and effort to institutionalize

participatory EM and the resistance to implement it. Despite this, this article affirms that

participation is effective, but there are questions in its scope to where it is still effective or can be

established.

Larson, S., De Freitas, D. M., & Hicks, C. C. (2013). Sense of place as a determinant of people’s

attitudes towards the environment: Implications for natural resources management and

planning in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Journal of Environmental Management,

117, 226–234. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.11.035

As stated in this study by Larson et al., humans develop and construct meanings and identities

through their experiences with their environment. These include their physical setting,

human activities and social and psychological processes. This connection of humans with

their environment is conceptualized as ‘sense of place’ which can bridge the gap between

the science and management of ecosystems. The sense of place shapes the beliefs, values,

and commitments of humans. This study explores the values an individual assign to the

natural environment and their attitudes towards it. Application of the theory of sense of

place for natural resources planning in the Great Barrier Reef Region was conducted in

this study. Strongest attributes that develop ‘sense of place’ related to the natural

environment obtained in this study involves the period of time a person stays in a place,

location of residence, place of birth, community involvement and membership of

professional associations. The sense of place of the people in a community determines

 their attitudes towards the environment. This study provides a sound understanding of the

perceptions of humans to environmental and biodiversity issues. This could offer

environmental managers to create better awareness and communication campaigns to

increase commitment, participation and implementation of environmental conservation

and natural resources management.

Sachs, J. D., & Reid, W. V. (2006). Investments toward sustainable development. Science,

312(5776), 1002-1002. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fd8f/f7594e

53714fa84d80d3f81de41d564b4808.pdf

Sachs and Reid discussed the connection between poverty reduction and the environment in

achieving sustainable development. They recommended three specific measures that can

help achieve a better well-being and ecosystem sustainability. First is to invest more in a

bolder poverty reduction policy and environment conservation. Second, they proposed to

establish a systematic assessment that would address the relationship of ecosystem

changes and human well-being. Lastly, they emphasized that funding for scientific

research is essential to develop an interdisciplinary strategy for sustainable development.

Sustainable development is achieved through an environmentally sound economic

development, and the attainment of environmental goals requires eradication of poverty.

By addressing poverty in environmental management, environmental conditions will be

improved. This article is concise, yet credible because the authors are experienced

directors of the U.N. Millennium Project and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

respectively, both having a broad experience in environmental management and deep

understanding regarding sustainable development.

Sangha, K. K., Maynard, S., Pearson, J., Dobriyal, P., Badola, R., & Hussain, S. A. (2019).

Recognising the role of local and Indigenous communities in managing natural resources

for the greater public benefit: Case studies from Asia and Oceania region. Ecosystem

Services, 39, 100991. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100991

This study by Sangha et al. revolves around how indigenous and local communities sustainably

manage their natural resources, and how activities from private enterprises or the

government affect them. Case studies of three indigenous populations are discussed to

address problems from resource exploitation which will benefit indigenous and local

communities and the global public. Indigenous and local communities give significant

importance to the environment since it is their source of livelihood and it is a part of their

culture. The environment influences their unique cultural, social and economic structure

and they view nature as sacred embodying religious and spiritual values. Therefore,

concerns from the unregulated use of resources prompted the authors in recommending

adapting transformative regulations and policies to equally allocate benefits to the

concerned communities. One example they cited is the Payments for Ecosystem Services

(PES) where the beneficiary pays the service provider. The application of PES represents

a feasible rational economical method for development that will compensate and reward

indigenous and local communities for promoting sustainable use of resources. This study

considers the culture, practices, and welfare of the community in providing

recommendations for a sustainable management of the environment in the local and

global scale.
Saunier, R. (1987). Chapter 2 - Concepts of Environmental Management. In Organization of

American States (Ed.), Minimum Conflict: Guidelines for Planning the Use of American

Humid Tropic Environments (pp 18-25). Retrieved from https://www.oas.org/dsd/publi

cations/Unit/oea37e/oea37e.pdf

This report explores and addresses the problems and consequences of exploiting Peru’s humid

tropical lands and resources through environmentally sound development. To further explain

their method, chapter 2 of this report reviews the definitions and concepts of human environment

and environmental management. Natural and human environment in this chapter as all conditions

and influences that affect the life and development of organisms, and humans as individuals and

societies, respectively. Saunier also defines environmental management as the manipulation,

utilization, improvement, and conservation of natural and economic goods and services in a way

that conflict resulting from these are reduced. This chapter emphasizes that the goal of

environmental management is to improve the human quality of life and this attempt results in

positive and negative impacts to the environment and to others; a concept where everything is

interconnected. This chapter informative because it gives a concise discussion of the definitions

and concepts of the natural and human environment, and environmental management and

discusses social, economic and cultural dimensions in environmental management.

Scholte, S. S., van Teeffelen, A. J., & Verburg, P. H. (2015). Integrating socio-cultural

perspectives into ecosystem service valuation: a review of concepts and methods.

Ecological economics, 114, 67-78. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.03.007

This paper reviews (1) what is known by socio-cultural values in the ecosystem service (ES)

framework, (2) what determines socio-cultural values, and (3) what methods are used in

evaluating these values. The authors discussed socio-cultural values that indicate both
 material and immaterial well-being. Determinants of socio-cultural values consist of (i)

the characteristic of the natural environment, (ii) how beneficiaries use and perceive

ecosystem services and their understanding of it, and (iii) the personal characteristics and

social context of the beneficiaries. Socio-cultural values in ES can be evaluated through

data collection techniques, observation approaches, document research, expert based

approaches, in-depth interviews, focus groups, questionnaires and approaches to account

for spatial factors. This paper provides a broad overview and information to help select

methods to evaluate socio-cultural values by emphasizing strength of diverse approaches

so that these contexts and values can be appropriately evaluated and translated into

decision-making.

Virapongse, A., Brooks, S., Metcalf, E. C., Zedalis, M., Gosz, J., Kliskey, A., & Alessa, L.

(2016). A social-ecological systems approach for environmental management. Journal of

Environmental Management, 178, 83-91. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.02.028

In this article, Virapongse et al. explained that existing environmental management in the United

States views resources from the environment to be limitless and confers human authority over

nature; a utilitarian and exploitative management. Because of this, the authors presented to

integrate Social Ecological Systems (SES) science into existing environmental management.

They defined SES science where the environment is an open system composed of ecological and

social components, integrated through management practices and adaptation and use of

resources. In-depth discussions of the concepts of SES that address current challenges in

environmental management are well-outlined in this article. Although presented as a theory, the

authors expounded in detail the effectiveness and the values of this approach. Combined efforts
of scientists, environmental managers and the community to integrate empirical and scientific

knowledge and methods and understanding each other's culture will produce sound intellectual

framework for environmental management. The involvement of various stakeholders is well-

emphasized in this approach to achieve successful and sustained results in environmental

management. This approach laid out by the authors is coherent and practical, yet addresses

various environmental management problems.