Forests as social ecological systems [Chapter 13]

Abstract

The state of forests is intricately linked to the lives of the people dependent on them. Forest-dependent communities are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This chapter examines the social impacts related to changes in climate and forests by focusing on the socioeconomic systems that are already being impacted by climate change, the ways social forces are mitigating or amplifying those impacts, and possible adaptation options. At the global scale, we are not on track to meet most targets related to human health and the environment. Urbanization and conversion for agriculture are among the strongest drivers of deforestation and adverse impacts on ecosystem services. Monitoring and high-resolution metrics for ecosystem services allow better measurement of changes in ecosystem services due to climate change and urbanization and how these changes directly influence the provisioning of a multitude of services and disservices. Technological advances can be combined with community engagement lessons from traditional knowledge to create more resilient forests in the future.

Citation

Warziniack, Travis; Allor, Lacey; Bunn, David; McHale, Melissa. 2024. Forests as social ecological systems [Chapter 13]. In: McNulty, Steven G., ed. Future Forests. Elsevier. p. 265-278.