Humans in changing shrubland ecosystems

Abstract

Emerging arid-land research and management approaches are increasingly shaped by the recognition of the fact that humans are an integral part of ecosystems. The thrust to study the coupled natural-human dynamics of such systems1 and the growing awareness of the social-ecological nature of rangeland ecosystems2 are prompting a shift in the way we think about current and future challenges facing shrublands in North America and globally. At the same time, increasing understanding of the multiple ecosystem services (both tangible and intangible) provided to society by natural ecosystems3 is further challenging our collective views of how to adapt to current and projected changes affecting the socioecological landscapes of the American West.

Citation

Pendleton, Rosemary L.; Kitchen, Stanley G.; Cibils, Andres F. 2014. Humans in changing shrubland ecosystems. Rangelands. 36(2): 3-4.