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A Transdisciplinary Approach to Identifying Transboundary Tipping Points in a Contentious Area: Experiences from across the Jordan River Region

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  • Juan Miguel Rodriguez Lopez

    (Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC), Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Katja Tielbörger

    (Institute of Evolution and Ecology (EvE), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany)

  • Cornelia Claus

    (Institute of Evolution and Ecology (EvE), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany)

  • Christiane Fröhlich

    (GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, 20354 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Marc Gramberger

    (Prospex (Limited Company), 1040 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Jürgen Scheffran

    (Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC), Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Transdisciplinary research is urgently needed but has rarely been applied in sustainability science. Here, we present a case study for a transdisciplinary approach to identify tipping points in the Jordan River region, an area of severe conflicts and environmental problems. The aim was to identify and prioritize different ecological and social tipping points within a framework of transdisciplinary assessment, using the Jordan River Region as a case study. The methodology included an iterative process in which a multidisciplinary group of scientists and regional stakeholders evaluated emerging tipping points involving professionally facilitated workshops, a correlation analysis, and an anonymous ranking based on specific criteria (practical relevance, scientific novelty, transboundary elements, and feasibility of intervention). During the process, the similarities and differences in the perceptions of the potential case studies by stakeholders from the three countries (Israel, Palestine and Jordan) involved were analyzed. The results found key elements of the term tipping point (abrupt, difficult to predict, irreversible regime shift, difficult management), and showed local and regional differences in evaluating potential case studies, where degradation or desertification of rangelands emerged as a final case study of common concern. The lessons learnt show the potential and challenges of transboundary cooperation, and the possibility of the co-creation of research with stakeholders to build knowledge about the diversity of tipping points. The study concludes that common ground related to the sustainable management of natural resources exists even in highly contentious areas, and among highly different cultural, political, and socio-economic conditions. The approach presented here may thus inform practitioners in prioritizing areas of transboundary sustainability research in other regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Miguel Rodriguez Lopez & Katja Tielbörger & Cornelia Claus & Christiane Fröhlich & Marc Gramberger & Jürgen Scheffran, 2019. "A Transdisciplinary Approach to Identifying Transboundary Tipping Points in a Contentious Area: Experiences from across the Jordan River Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:1184-:d:208554
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristan Cockerill & Pierre Glynn & Ilan Chabay & Mahmud Farooque & Raimo P. Hämäläinen & Ben Miyamoto & Patricia McKay, 2019. "Records of engagement and decision making for environmental and socio-ecological challenges," EURO Journal on Decision Processes, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 7(3), pages 243-265, November.
    2. Viola Hakkarainen & Katri Mäkinen‐Rostedt & Andra Horcea‐Milcu & Dalia D'Amato & Johanna Jämsä & Katriina Soini, 2022. "Transdisciplinary research in natural resources management: Towards an integrative and transformative use of co‐concepts," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 309-325, April.

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