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Navigating Multiple Tensions for Engaged Praxis in a Complex Social-Ecological System

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Cockburn

    (Environmental Learning Research Centre, Department of Education, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Carolyn (Tally) G. Palmer

    (Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Harry Biggs

    (Tsitsa Project, Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Eureta Rosenberg

    (Environmental Learning Research Centre, Department of Education, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

Abstract

Innovative, pragmatic approaches are needed to support sustainable livelihoods and landscape management in complex social-ecological systems (CSES) such as river catchments. In the Tsitsa River Catchment, South Africa, researchers and natural resource managers have come together to apply such innovative approaches. Since CSES are characterised by uncertainty and surprise, understanding and managing them requires a commitment to reflexive praxis and transdisciplinarity. Accordingly, we facilitated a collective reflection and learning process in the project team to deepen our understanding of praxis in CSES. Our findings indicate that CSES thinking created an enabling framing. However, building new linkages among diverse actors to put CSES thinking into practice is challenging, since it requires the development of novel working relationships. Existing institutional structures, power dynamics, and ways of working impose significant constraints. A deeper critical realist analysis of our findings revealed a metaphor which explains why this work is challenging. In this metaphor, the Tsitsa Project team is navigating a bumpy terrain of dialectic tensions. These are tensions for example between natural science and social science, and between science and indigenous knowledge. Based on this metaphor, we suggest an expanding role for scientists and managers, and recommend transformative social learning processes to support teams navigating such bumpy terrains.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Cockburn & Carolyn (Tally) G. Palmer & Harry Biggs & Eureta Rosenberg, 2018. "Navigating Multiple Tensions for Engaged Praxis in a Complex Social-Ecological System," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-24, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:7:y:2018:i:4:p:129-:d:180878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Adela Itzkin & Jai Kumar Clifford-Holmes & Mary Scholes & Kaera Coetzer, 2022. "Approaches to Enhance Integration and Monitoring for Social-Ecological Systems," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Evangelia Karasmanaki & Giorgos Mallinis & Ioannis Mitsopoulos & Apostolos Karteris & Irene Chrysafis & Dimitrios Bakaloudis & Ioannis P. Kokkoris & Fotis Maris & Margarita Arianoutsou & Johann G. Gol, 2023. "Proposing a Governance Model for Environmental Crises," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Scheihing, Konstantin W. & Tanner, Jane & Weaver, Matthew & Schöniger, Matthias, 2020. "A strategy to enhance management of free basic water via communal taps in South Africa," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Odirilwe Selomane & Belinda Reyers & Reinette Biggs & Maike Hamann, 2019. "Harnessing Insights from Social-Ecological Systems Research for Monitoring Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-36, February.
    5. Ray L. Ison & Kevin B. Collins & Ben L. Iaquinto, 2021. "Designing an inquiry‐based learning system: Innovating in research praxis to transform science–policy–practice relations for sustainable development," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 610-624, October.
    6. Jessica Cockburn & Eureta Rosenberg & Athina Copteros & Susanna Francina (Ancia) Cornelius & Notiswa Libala & Liz Metcalfe & Benjamin van der Waal, 2020. "A Relational Approach to Landscape Stewardship: Towards a New Perspective for Multi-Actor Collaboration," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-20, July.
    7. Dylan Weyer & Joana Carlos Bezerra & Alta De Vos, 2019. "Participatory Mapping in a Developing Country Context: Lessons from South Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-16, September.

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