TY - JOUR
T1 - A conceptual template for integrative human-environment research
AU - Newell, B
AU - Crumley, C
AU - Hassan, N
AU - Lambin, E
AU - Pahl-Wosti, Claudia
AU - Underal, A
AU - Wasson, Robert
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Knowledge integration, the blending of concepts from two or more disciplines to create innovative new worldviews, is a key process in attempts to increase the sustainability of human activities on Earth. In this paper, we describe a 'conceptual template'that can be used to catalyse this process. The template comprises (a) a list of high-level concepts that capture the essential aspects of any significant human-environment problem, plus (b) broad lists of low-level basic concepts drawn from a range of disciplines. Our high-level concepts, which we call 'conceptual clusters', are labelled Dynamics & System, Organisation & Scale, Controlling Models, Management & Policy, Adaptation & Learning, and History. Many of the clustered, lower-level concepts are synonyms and thus provide possible connections between disciplines - for this reason we call them 'nexus concepts'. We suggest that a conceptual template like that presented here can provide strong support to the initial phases of integrative research programs. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - Knowledge integration, the blending of concepts from two or more disciplines to create innovative new worldviews, is a key process in attempts to increase the sustainability of human activities on Earth. In this paper, we describe a 'conceptual template'that can be used to catalyse this process. The template comprises (a) a list of high-level concepts that capture the essential aspects of any significant human-environment problem, plus (b) broad lists of low-level basic concepts drawn from a range of disciplines. Our high-level concepts, which we call 'conceptual clusters', are labelled Dynamics & System, Organisation & Scale, Controlling Models, Management & Policy, Adaptation & Learning, and History. Many of the clustered, lower-level concepts are synonyms and thus provide possible connections between disciplines - for this reason we call them 'nexus concepts'. We suggest that a conceptual template like that presented here can provide strong support to the initial phases of integrative research programs. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KW - conceptual framework
KW - environmental research
KW - knowledge
KW - sustainability
M3 - Article
SN - 0959-3780
VL - 15
SP - 299
EP - 307
JO - Global Environmental Change
JF - Global Environmental Change
IS - 4
ER -