IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v24y2022i2d10.1007_s10668-021-01527-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unraveling the complex and dynamic Himalayan socio-ecological systems: a systematic review

Author

Listed:
  • A. T. Shruthi Gopirajan

    (Jawaharlal Nehru University)

  • Praveen Kumar

    (Jawaharlal Nehru University)

  • P. K. Joshi

    (Jawaharlal Nehru University
    Jawaharlal Nehru University)

Abstract

The fragile mountains of Himalaya are one of the most complex and heterogeneous mountain socio-ecological system (SES) due to its high diversity and intricate linkages of biophysical, sociocultural, and political aspects. An absence of substantial place-based knowledge and failed developmental initiatives due to absence of holistic approach in Himalaya has motivated to conduct a systematic review. In this study, we systematically review peer-reviewed literature focused on SESs (n = 53) in the Himalayan countries (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan). The review summarizes the existing knowledge of Himalayan SES scholarship. It documents the trends and distribution of Himalayan SESs and its scholarship. We examined the year-wise, spatial (geographical), and methodological trends in SES discourse. The review appraises the conceptualization of the term SES. Further, major drivers impacting the Himalayan SESs are identified and discussed. Our findings highlight that 87% of literature has attempted country-specific study, with Nepal and India in the lead. Such a spatial disparity compounded by the complexity arising from a dearth of inconsistent conceptualization, cross-scale interactions and geospatial exploration of Himalayan SESs mask the deeper realities of unique Himalayan SESs. Thus, we advocate for a comprehensive definition and characteristic attributes of SES while considering cross-scale interactions and inherent mountain specificities. The decisions that direct sustainable development of Himalaya are made locally, and these decisions are influenced by social and ecological values. Targeting locally perceived characteristics attributes of SES in decision-making can ensure sustainable future of Himalaya.

Suggested Citation

  • A. T. Shruthi Gopirajan & Praveen Kumar & P. K. Joshi, 2022. "Unraveling the complex and dynamic Himalayan socio-ecological systems: a systematic review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 1532-1559, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01527-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01527-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-021-01527-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-021-01527-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ö. Bodin & S. M. Alexander & J. Baggio & M. L. Barnes & R. Berardo & G. S. Cumming & L. E. Dee & A. P. Fischer & M. Fischer & M. Mancilla Garcia & A. M. Guerrero & J. Hileman & K. Ingold & P. Matous &, 2019. "Improving network approaches to the study of complex social–ecological interdependencies," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(7), pages 551-559, July.
    2. Levin, Simon & Xepapadeas, Tasos & Crépin, Anne-Sophie & Norberg, Jon & de Zeeuw, Aart & Folke, Carl & Hughes, Terry & Arrow, Kenneth & Barrett, Scott & Daily, Gretchen & Ehrlich, Paul & Kautsky, Nils, 2013. "Social-ecological systems as complex adaptive systems: modeling and policy implications," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(2), pages 111-132, April.
    3. Ana F. Ferreira & Heike Zimmermann & Rui Santos & Henrik Von Wehrden, 2018. "A Social–Ecological Systems Framework as a Tool for Understanding the Effectiveness of Biosphere Reserve Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Gibson, Clark C. & Ostrom, Elinor & Ahn, T. K., 2000. "The concept of scale and the human dimensions of global change: a survey," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 217-239, February.
    5. Rammel, Christian & Stagl, Sigrid & Wilfing, Harald, 2007. "Managing complex adaptive systems -- A co-evolutionary perspective on natural resource management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 9-21, June.
    6. Rastogi, Archi & Hickey, Gordon M. & Anand, Anupam & Badola, Ruchi & Hussain, Syed Ainul, 2015. "Wildlife-tourism, local communities and tiger conservation: A village-level study in Corbett Tiger Reserve, India," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 11-19.
    7. Martin J. Bunch, 2016. "Ecosystem Approaches to Health and Well‐Being: Navigating Complexity, Promoting Health in Social–Ecological Systems," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 614-632, September.
    8. Everard, Mark & Gupta, Nishikant & Chapagain, Prem S. & Shrestha, Bharat Babu & Preston, Guy & Tiwari, Prakash, 2018. "Can control of invasive vegetation improve water and rural livelihood security in Nepal?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 32(PA), pages 125-133.
    9. Bishawjit Mallick, 2019. "The Nexus between Socio-Ecological System, Livelihood Resilience, and Migration Decisions: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Fikret Berkes, 2017. "Environmental Governance for the Anthropocene? Social-Ecological Systems, Resilience, and Collaborative Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-12, July.
    11. Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui & Cecilia Arnaiz-Schmitz & María Fernanda Reyes & Marta Telesnicki & Ignacio Agramonte & Marcos H. Easdale & María Fe Schmitz & Martín Aguiar & Antonio Gómez-Sal & Carlos Mon, 2018. "What do We Talk about When We Talk about Social-Ecological Systems? A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Bhattarai, Basundhara & Beilin, Ruth & Ford, Rebecca, 2015. "Gender, Agrobiodiversity, and Climate Change: A Study of Adaptation Practices in the Nepal Himalayas," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 122-132.
    13. Helene Ahlborg & Ilse Ruiz-Mercado & Sverker Molander & Omar Masera, 2019. "Bringing Technology into Social-Ecological Systems Research—Motivations for a Socio-Technical-Ecological Systems Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-23, April.
    14. Roopam Shukla & Kamna Sachdeva & P. K. Joshi, 2018. "Demystifying vulnerability assessment of agriculture communities in the Himalayas: a systematic review," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 91(1), pages 409-429, March.
    15. Brunner, Sibyl Hanna & Grêt-Regamey, Adrienne, 2016. "Policy strategies to foster the resilience of mountain social-ecological systems under uncertain global change," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 129-139.
    16. Ranjan, Ram, 2018. "What drives forest degradation in the central Himalayas? Understanding the feedback dynamics between participatory forest management institutions and the species composition of forests," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 85-101.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nowacki Marek, 2023. "Mountaineering in the Himalayas: A Comprehensive Analysis Through a Literature Review and Research Profiling," Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, Sciendo, vol. 30(4), pages 3-12, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cristian Accastello & Simone Blanc & Filippo Brun, 2019. "A Framework for the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Environmental Risk Management Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Labeyrie, Vanesse & Friedman, Rachel S. & Donnet, Sophie & Faye, Ndeye Fatou & Cobelli, Océane & Baggio, Jacopo & Felipe-Lucia, María R. & Raimond, Christine, 2023. "Linking seed networks and crop diversity contributions to people: A case study in small-scale farming systems in Sahelian Senegal," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    3. Eliana Martinez & Lizeth Tatiana Luna-Mancilla & Housseman Steven Ramos-Zambrano & Ulianova Vidal-Gomez, 2022. "Potato Farming Systems from a Social-Ecological Perspective: Identifying Key Points to Increase Resilience in a High Andean Productive Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Didier Wernli & Lucas Böttcher & Flore Vanackere & Yuliya Kaspiarovich & Maria Masood & Nicolas Levrat, 2023. "Understanding and governing global systemic crises in the 21st century: A complexity perspective," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 14(2), pages 207-228, May.
    5. Wayde C. Morse, 2020. "Recreation as a Social-Ecological Complex Adaptive System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Robert Costanza & Shuang Liu, 2014. "Ecosystem Services and Environmental Governance: Comparing China and the U.S," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 1(1), pages 160-170, January.
    7. Grillitsch, Markus & Asheim, Björn & Fünfschilling, Lea & Kelmenson, Sophie & Lowe, Nichola & Lundquist, Karl Johan & Mahmoud, Yahia & Martynovich, Mikhail & Mattson, Pauline & Miörner, Johan & Nilsso, 2023. "Rescaling: An Analytical Lense to Study Economic and Industrial Shifts," Papers in Innovation Studies 2023/11, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    8. Richter, Andries & Dakos, Vasilis, 2015. "Profit fluctuations signal eroding resilience of natural resources," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 12-21.
    9. Sri Astutik & Jürgen Pretzsch & Jude Ndzifon Kimengsi, 2019. "Asian Medicinal Plants’ Production and Utilization Potentials: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-33, October.
    10. Mónica de Castro-Pardo & Fernando Pérez-Rodríguez & José María Martín-Martín & João C. Azevedo, 2019. "Planning for Democracy in Protected Rural Areas: Application of a Voting Method in a Spanish-Portuguese Reserve," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    11. Mikko Kurenlahti & Arto O. Salonen, 2018. "Rethinking Consumerism from the Perspective of Religion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    12. Merrie, Andrew & Olsson, Per, 2014. "An innovation and agency perspective on the emergence and spread of Marine Spatial Planning," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 366-374.
    13. Bimal Kanti Paul & Munshi Khaledur Rahman & Max Lu & Thomas W. Crawford, 2022. "Household Migration and Intentions for Future Migration in the Climate Change Vulnerable Lower Meghna Estuary of Coastal Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    14. Steven M Manson, 2007. "Challenges in Evaluating Models of Geographic Complexity," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 34(2), pages 245-260, April.
    15. Rao, Nitya & Singh, Chandni & Solomon, Divya & Camfield, Laura & Sidiki, Rahina & Angula, Margaret & Poonacha, Prathigna & Sidibé, Amadou & Lawson, Elaine T., 2020. "Managing risk, changing aspirations and household dynamics: Implications for wellbeing and adaptation in semi-arid Africa and India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    16. Anne Jerneck, 2018. "What about Gender in Climate Change? Twelve Feminist Lessons from Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-20, February.
    17. Kun Cheng & Qiang Fu & Xi Chen & Tianxiao Li & Qiuxiang Jiang & Xiaosong Ma & Ke Zhao, 2015. "Adaptive Allocation Modeling for a Complex System of Regional Water and Land Resources Based on Information Entropy and its Application," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(14), pages 4977-4993, November.
    18. Joseph B. Bak-Coleman & Ian Kennedy & Morgan Wack & Andrew Beers & Joseph S. Schafer & Emma S. Spiro & Kate Starbird & Jevin D. West, 2022. "Combining interventions to reduce the spread of viral misinformation," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(10), pages 1372-1380, October.
    19. W. A. Brock & A. Xepapadeas, 2015. "Modeling Coupled Climate, Ecosystems, and Economic Systems," Working Papers 2015.66, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    20. Radosavljevic, Sonja & Haider, L. Jamila & Lade, Steven J. & Schlüter, Maja, 2021. "Implications of poverty traps across levels," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01527-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.