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A Framework for Tracing Social–Ecological Trajectories and Traps in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel R. Uden

    (Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Craig R. Allen

    (U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Francisco Munoz-Arriola

    (Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Gengxin Ou

    (Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Nancy Shank

    (Public Policy Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA)

Abstract

Charting trajectories toward sustainable agricultural development is an important goal at the food–energy–water–ecosystem services (FEWES) nexus of agricultural landscapes. Social–ecological adaptation and transformation are two broad strategies for adjusting and resetting the trajectories of productive FEWES nexuses toward sustainable futures. In some cases, financial incentives, technological innovations, and/or subsidies associated with the short-term optimization of a small number of resources create and strengthen unsustainable feedbacks between social and ecological entities at the FEWES nexus. These feedbacks form the basis of rigidity traps, which impede adaptation and transformation by locking FEWES nexuses into unsustainable trajectories characterized by control, stability, and efficiency, but also an inability to adapt to disturbances or changing conditions. To escape and avoid rigidity traps and enable sustainability-focused adaptation and transformation, a foundational understanding of FEWES nexuses and their unique trajectories and traps is required. We present a framework for tracing trajectories and traps at the FEWES nexuses of intensive agricultural landscapes. Framework implementation in a case study reveals feedbacks characteristic of rigidity traps, as well as opportunities for modifying and dissolving them. Such place-based understanding could inform sustainable agricultural development at the FEWES nexus of intensive agricultural landscapes worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel R. Uden & Craig R. Allen & Francisco Munoz-Arriola & Gengxin Ou & Nancy Shank, 2018. "A Framework for Tracing Social–Ecological Trajectories and Traps in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1646-:d:148000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Craig R. Allen & Hannah E. Birge & Shannon Bartelt-Hunt & Rebecca A. Bevans & Jessica L. Burnett & Barbara A. Cosens & Ximing Cai & Ahjond S. Garmestani & Igor Linkov & Elizabeth A. Scott & Mark D. So, 2016. "Avoiding Decline: Fostering Resilience and Sustainability in Midsize Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Gengxin Ou & Francisco Munoz-Arriola & Daniel R. Uden & Derrel Martin & Craig R. Allen & Nancy Shank, 2018. "Climate change implications for irrigation and groundwater in the Republican River Basin, USA," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 303-316, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sobratee-Fajurally, N. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2022. "Inclusive sustainable landscape management in West and Central Africa: enabling co-designing contexts for systemic sensibility," IWMI Books, Reports H051652, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Inga C. Melchior & Jens Newig, 2021. "Governing Transitions towards Sustainable Agriculture—Taking Stock of an Emerging Field of Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-27, January.

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