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Sustainable Coastal Social-ecological Systems: How Do We Define “coastal”?

Md. Sarwar Hossain
Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Animesh K. Gain
Environmental Policy and Planning Group (EPP), Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA;

Kimberly G. Rogers
Integrated Coastal Programs, East Carolina University, Greenville, SC, USA

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Coastal social-ecological systems (SES) are home to over 500 million people and one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world. In recent years, coastal SES are experiencing severe threats from an increasing population, resource exploitation, and global environmental change (e.g. climate change), which have devastating societal impacts in coastal areas. Despite several global, national, and local initiatives, there is a growing consensus that coastal resources are depleting and increasing conflicts in coastal areas. Recognizing the global call to understand social–ecological interactions for implementing development practices, this special issue features a suite (seven) of articles advancing the understanding of the sustainability of social and ecological interactions within coastal areas through theoretical SES approaches and related analytical methods. In this edition of this special issue, we also argued that coastal area needs to define from SES perspectives, which have received less attention compared to ecological and social perspectives. We hope that this special issue will stimulate the debate and further thinking of how coastal SES can be managed sustainably by conceptualizing and understanding the complex dynamics (interaction, feedback) of SES.

Keywords: Social-ecological systems; Coastal systems; Definition of coastal area; Interdisciplinary

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Sustainable

Objectives:

Systems as a coupled system. Better understanding coupled social-ecological interactions within coastal areas is vital for implementing development practices that will optimize human well-being and sustain ecosystems and the resources they generate. Coastal systems comprising both social and ecological elements, with interconnected reliance across multiple scales can be conceptualized as a SES. The objective of this special issue is to advance understanding of the sustainability of social and ecological interactions within coastal areas through theoretical SES approaches and related analytical methods.

Methodology:

Considering the critical role of qualitative approach and mental models understand the sustainability of coastal SES (Hossain et al. 2020b), Kulsum et al. (2019) describe the conceptual development and operationalization of a participatory approach for understanding how mental models used by farming communities in Southwest Bangladesh may impact the success of Community Livelihood Adaptation currently being used to inform adaptive delta management policies. They propose an integrated technique combining empirical data collection, cognitive mapping, and scenario modelling for understanding the complex cognitive process behind cropping decisions made in the face of uncertainty.

Nguyen et al. (2020) assessed the resilience of mangrove-shrimp farming systems in the coastal province of Ben Tre of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) through use of the Motivation and Ability framework in conjunction with a sustainable livelihood framework. They found low levels of resilience and sustainability of the mangrove-shrimp livelihoods under the impact of extreme salinity intrusion. In order to improve resilience of the coupled SES, they proposed an evidence-based framework. Through participatory research, Mutahara et al. (2020) analysed the socio-technical transformation of the tidal river management (TRM) approach, a less structural and more natural management intervention to prevent the severe water-logging in the Southwest region of coastal Bangladesh. They identified existing problems of community participation and proposed a method of developing effective multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) with respect to tidal river management in deltas.

Schéré et al. (2020) highlighted the challenges caused by data availability to the effectiveness of marine protected areas. Their analysis of 111 marine protected areas revealed that few sites incorporate Schéré et al. (2020) highlighted the challenges caused by data availability to the effectiveness of marine protected areas. Their analysis of 111 marine protected areas revealed that few sites incorporate socioeconomic aspects into their management plans. In addition, the existence of a management plan is highly linked to favourable outcomes in terms of management. They contend that previous policies, such as the Birds and Habitat Directive, should remain in force to help achieve successful conservation in the Irish Sea. However, the Brexit issue may make the future uncertain as EU regulations emplaced to protect coastal environments, such as the Natura 2000 network, could be replaced. They conclude that protection of socioeconomic issues is needed in order to achieve biological conservation goals.

Source of Information: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & WORLD ECOLOGY 2020, VOL. 27, NO. 7, 577–582

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1789775

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Recently there has been a pressing call to consider social justice when assessing the sustainability of SES (Hossain and Ifejika Speranza 2019), with ‘leave no one behind’ being pledged in the 2030 UN agenda and other international discourses (Dearing et al. 2014). Recognizing the global call for the inclusion of social justice to ensure the sustainability of SES, Boillat and Bottazzi (2020) examined the potential of agroecology to improve the adaptive capacity of farmers by addressing power and social justice related to SES in the coastal region of Senegal. They suggested that reinforcing feedback influence strongly the resilience of farmers. In addition, this paper also argued that agroecology could be useful in addressing resilience justice.

The sustainability of coastal SES is vigorous and dynamic research field. To support scientific understanding of the sustainability issues of coastal SES, this special issue brings together seven articles on coastal issues. Considering the changing dynamics of coastal SES and growing vulnerability across the globe, there is an urgent need for more research and policy-relevant programs that conceptualize the coastal system as a complex SES in order to understand the complex dynamics (interactions, feedbacks, delay) between SES. In particular, consideration of feedbacks between SES is required when defining coastal systems in order to make the policies effective. Studies such as these have the potential to inform policy action and decision-making such that coastal-relevant SDGs may be achieved by 2030. We hope that the special issue will stimulate debate and contribute further thinking to how coastal areas can sustainably respond to both ecological and social changes.

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