S&T&I for 2050 Perspectives on Ecosystem Performance

Identifying STI and policy directions for ecosystem performance entails a conceptualisation of what an ecosystem is, how an ecosystem flourishes and what is the relation between humans and nature. We selected, analysed, and categorised fourteen schools of thought that have guided human activities towards ecosystem stewardship. Three perspectives resulted from this effort:

1. “Protecting and restoring ecosystems”, concerned with preservation of ecosystems by managing the impact from human activities;

2. “Co-Shaping socio-ecological systems”, concerned with simultaneous development of social practices and ecological processes towards resilience and sustainability renewal;

3. “Caring within hybrid collectives”, concerned with the establishment of caring relationships in new collectives with humans and other entities on an equal level.

These perspectives guided the delineation of future scenarios and STI developments in six thematic case studies.

Download the paper delineating the framework:

Main characteristics of the three perspectives on Ecosystem Performance

PROTECTING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS

Schools of thought included in this perspective are:

• IMP Environmental Impact Assessment

• IPBES Model of biodiversity and ecosystem services

• BIR Biosphere Rules

• SEV Social Ecology Vienna School

CO-SHAPING SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Schools of thought included in this perspective are:

• SES Socio-Ecological Systems

• BRD Biomimicry & Regenerative Design

• PHH Planetary & Human Health

• PSB Planetary & Social Boundaries

with some elements of two further schools of thought:

• SEV Social Ecology Vienna School

• GAI Facing Gaia

CARING WITHIN HYBRID COLLECTIVES

Schools of thought included in this perspective are:

• GAI Facing Gaia

• KIN Kinmaking

• PHK Posthuman Knowledge

• MSJ Multi-Species Justice

• BIC Biocentrism

• DEC Deep Ecology