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Implications of agricultural transitions and urbanization for ecosystem services

Author

Listed:
  • Graeme S. Cumming

    (Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town)

  • Andreas Buerkert

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Kassel)

  • Ellen M. Hoffmann

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Kassel)

  • Eva Schlecht

    (Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Kassel and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

  • Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel

    (Georg-August-Universität)

  • Teja Tscharntke

    (Agroecology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

Abstract

Historically, farmers and hunter-gatherers relied directly on ecosystem services, which they both exploited and enjoyed. Urban populations still rely on ecosystems, but prioritize non-ecosystem services (socioeconomic). Population growth and densification increase the scale and change the nature of both ecosystem- and non-ecosystem-service supply and demand, weakening direct feedbacks between ecosystems and societies and potentially pushing social–ecological systems into traps that can lead to collapse. The interacting and mutually reinforcing processes of technological change, population growth and urbanization contribute to over-exploitation of ecosystems through complex feedbacks that have important implications for sustainable resource use.

Suggested Citation

  • Graeme S. Cumming & Andreas Buerkert & Ellen M. Hoffmann & Eva Schlecht & Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel & Teja Tscharntke, 2014. "Implications of agricultural transitions and urbanization for ecosystem services," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7525), pages 50-57, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:515:y:2014:i:7525:d:10.1038_nature13945
    DOI: 10.1038/nature13945
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