Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems
Contemporary conservation problems are typically positioned at the interface of complex ecological and human systems. Traditional approaches aiming to compartmentalize a phenomenon within the confines of a single discipline and failing to engage non-science partners are outmoded and cannot identify...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
2016-06-01
|
| Series: | FACETS |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2016-0003 |
| _version_ | 1818291293290233856 |
|---|---|
| author | Melissa Dick Andrew M. Rous Vivian M. Nguyen Steven J. Cooke |
| author_facet | Melissa Dick Andrew M. Rous Vivian M. Nguyen Steven J. Cooke |
| author_sort | Melissa Dick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Contemporary conservation problems are typically positioned at the interface of complex ecological and human systems. Traditional approaches aiming to compartmentalize a phenomenon within the confines of a single discipline and failing to engage non-science partners are outmoded and cannot identify solutions that have traction in the social, economic, and political arenas in which conservation actions must operate. As a result, conservation science teams must adopt multiple disciplinary approaches that bridge not only academic disciplines but also the political and social realms and engage relevant partners. Five reasons are presented that outline why conservation problems demand multiple disciplinary approaches in order to move forward because: (i) socio-ecological systems are complex, (ii) multiple perspectives are better than one, (iii) the results of research must influence practice, (iv) the heterogeneity of scale necessitates it, and (v) conservation involves compromise. Presenting reasons that support multiple disciplinarity demands a review of the barriers that impede this process, as we are far from attaining a model or framework that is applicable in all contexts. Two challenges that impede multiple disciplinarity are discussed, in addition to pragmatic solutions that conservation scientists and practitioners can adopt in their work. Overall, conservation researchers and practitioners are encouraged to explore the multiple disciplinary dimensions of their respective realms to more effectively solve problems in biodiversity and sustainability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T02:41:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6635c300a294466f9f5b4f3731c80eac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2371-1671 2371-1671 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T02:41:46Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | FACETS |
| spelling | doaj.art-6635c300a294466f9f5b4f3731c80eac2022-12-22T00:02:17ZengCanadian Science PublishingFACETS2371-16712371-16712016-06-011678210.1139/facets-2016-0003Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problemsMelissa Dick0Andrew M. Rous1Vivian M. Nguyen2Steven J. Cooke3Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaFish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaFish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaFish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaContemporary conservation problems are typically positioned at the interface of complex ecological and human systems. Traditional approaches aiming to compartmentalize a phenomenon within the confines of a single discipline and failing to engage non-science partners are outmoded and cannot identify solutions that have traction in the social, economic, and political arenas in which conservation actions must operate. As a result, conservation science teams must adopt multiple disciplinary approaches that bridge not only academic disciplines but also the political and social realms and engage relevant partners. Five reasons are presented that outline why conservation problems demand multiple disciplinary approaches in order to move forward because: (i) socio-ecological systems are complex, (ii) multiple perspectives are better than one, (iii) the results of research must influence practice, (iv) the heterogeneity of scale necessitates it, and (v) conservation involves compromise. Presenting reasons that support multiple disciplinarity demands a review of the barriers that impede this process, as we are far from attaining a model or framework that is applicable in all contexts. Two challenges that impede multiple disciplinarity are discussed, in addition to pragmatic solutions that conservation scientists and practitioners can adopt in their work. Overall, conservation researchers and practitioners are encouraged to explore the multiple disciplinary dimensions of their respective realms to more effectively solve problems in biodiversity and sustainability.http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2016-0003socio-ecologicaltransdiciplinaryinterdisciplinarycomplex systemsbiodiversity |
| spellingShingle | Melissa Dick Andrew M. Rous Vivian M. Nguyen Steven J. Cooke Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems FACETS socio-ecological transdiciplinary interdisciplinary complex systems biodiversity |
| title | Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| title_full | Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| title_fullStr | Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| title_short | Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| title_sort | necessary but challenging multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems |
| topic | socio-ecological transdiciplinary interdisciplinary complex systems biodiversity |
| url | http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2016-0003 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT melissadick necessarybutchallengingmultipledisciplinaryapproachestosolvingconservationproblems AT andrewmrous necessarybutchallengingmultipledisciplinaryapproachestosolvingconservationproblems AT vivianmnguyen necessarybutchallengingmultipledisciplinaryapproachestosolvingconservationproblems AT stevenjcooke necessarybutchallengingmultipledisciplinaryapproachestosolvingconservationproblems |