Environmental decision making and an ecosystems approach : some challenges from the perspective of social science
Ecosystem services
Bien-être ; Concept ; Développement durable ; Ecosystème ; Environnement ; Gestion de l'environnement ; Service ; Stratégie d'acteurs
Concept ; Decision making process ; Ecosystem ; Environment ; Environmental management ; Service ; Sustainable development ; Well-being
This paper highlights 2 recurring and cross-cutting aspects of an ecosystems approach around which credible treatments of ecosystem services can be realized, not only in theory, but also in practice : first, the need to think ‘holistically’ about
how any given project, proposal or plan would impact on service provision and human well-being; and, second, the need to manage ecosystem services in relation to wider stakeholder values, needs and priorities. While thinking about decision making from
the perspective of ecosystem services is no panacea for sustainability, the paper points to a number of social science issues that interdisciplinary researchers could usefully address in these 2 contexts.