A relational social-ecological systems approach to determine essential variables for monitoring sustainability at a catchment level

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Authors

Itzkin, Adela
Scholes, Mary
Coetzer, Kaera L.
Clifford-Holmes, Jai Kumar

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

This publication introduces Essential Social-Ecological System Variables (ESEVs), an approach aimed at addressing integration and monitoring challenges in Social-Ecological System (SES) projects at the catchment scale. ESEVs are defined as 'the minimum set of critical social-ecological variables to capture key features, processes, and interactions driving SES dynamics over time and space.' Notably, ESEVs differ from other essential variable approaches as they are based on the relational connection between the 'Social' and 'Ecological' aspects of SESs and are derived from a transdisciplinary process involving systems thinking and social learning. The ESESV approach was rooted in systems thinking to identify variables for monitoring progress towards improved SES sustainability within the Tsitsa River Catchment in South Africa. ESEVs were identified through a process involving interviews, workshops, and surveys with experts from a transdisciplinary SES project in the catchment. The criteria for prioritizing ESEVs and their associated indicators were determined based on ‘essentiality scores,’ and the degree of consensus among participants. The resulting ESEVs for the Tsitsa River Catchment included 'soil erosion related to human actions on the land,' 'participation in natural resource governance,' 'grazing and rangeland sustainability,' and 'land cover and condition.' Additionally, participants proposed 'access to water,' 'local natural resource governance system,' and 'human well-being in the landscape' as potential ESEVs. Monitoring ESEVs could be achieved through a mix of data sources, with reduced emphasis on biophysical earth observations. Applying the ESEV approach at the catchment scale ensured its contextual relevance and practicality. The study provides valuable insights for monitoring SES sustainability, offering an effective approach and process applicable to various SES landscapes.

Description

DATA AVAILABILITY : The data collected by the authors of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Data are not publicly available due to the need to comply with the ethics clearance certificate

Keywords

Essential social-ecological system variables (ESEVs), Social-ecological system (SES), Essential variables, Systems thinking, Relationality, Integrated landscape monitoring, Transdisciplinary practices, Social learning, SDG-15: Life on land

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-15:Life on land

Citation

Itzkinm, A., Scholes, M., Coetzer, K. et al. 2025, 'A relational social-ecological systems approach to determine essential variables for monitoring sustainability at a catchment level', Environmental Development, vol. 53, art. 101106, pp. 1-17, doi : 10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101106.