Where’s the data? Challenges in characterizing the sustainability of socioecological systems

In an era of great need regarding nexus-type research and assessments, this study investigates the challenges of missing data encountered by ten (N = 10) societal metabolism scholars who use MuSIASEM (Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism)—a rigorous nexus-type research method. We explore how these scholars tried to overcome data challenges, their reflections on data availability, and how governments and other institutions might benefit if they had the missing data the scholars sought. Additionally, the study delves into the scholars’ interpretations of why the data is missing in the first place. Using a grounded approach, this qualitative study examines interview texts and reveals a range of issues that scholars faced, including an excess of aggregated data—a lack of disaggregated data—problems with data categorization, and other issues. On the whole, respondents’ reflections align with the foundational arguments of MuSIASEM’s developers, suggesting that more comprehensive, granular, and therefore effective approaches are needed to address socioecological challenges, sustainability issues, and net-zero goals. Respondents also noted that much of the missing data could be attributed to a dominance of economic logics and conceptual frames that often obfuscate the material and biophysical foundations of those economic systems themselves. This study advocates for revisiting and enhancing those conceptual frameworks that shape “what data is collected” and how it is made available in order to enhance analyses and broaden collective deliberations toward more informed sustainability and related policy decisions.