Suchergebnisse

To achieve sustainable development objectives in a context of climate change, it is now urgent for societies to adapt in order to maintain their quality of life. Good quality of life depends critically on the good state of ecosystems and the benefits that societies derive from them. To address this challenge, societies can reflect on how adaptation pathways can lead them towards a desirable future and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. In recent decades, environmental research has explored the contributions of ecosystems for human well-being and, more much recently, their role for the adaptation of societies to global changes. Many studies have focused on the effectiveness and implementation of these "ecosystem-based adaptations". However, while these solutions are increasingly being considered to meet adaptation challenges, their role within the adaptation pathways of social-ecological systems (SES) remains understudied. This research aims to increase our understanding of how ecosystems can be harnessed in SES adaptation pathways to climate and socio-economic changes. For this, I studied how ecosystems have been mobilized in the past trajectory and the current state of a mountain social-ecological system, the Pays de la Meije located in the French Alps. I also studied how ecosystems could be mobilized in future adaptation pathways. I proposed a conceptual framework based on the IPBES and the associated concept of Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) considered to be co-produced by human and nature inputs. This approach enables considering the human-derived and natural capitals involved at the three steps of the production of material or immaterial benefits (Ecosystem management; Physical mobilization and access to nature; and Appropriation and appreciation of benefits). This approach allowed me to analyse adaptation mechanisms based on ecosystems. I implemented a participatory consultative process based on the knowledge, perceptions and visions of a wide range of local and regional actors following 4 steps: (1) Understanding the current functioning of the SES through human-nature interactions that contribute to quality of life; (2) Retracing the past trajectory of the SES since 1900 and characterizing ecosystem-based adaptation mechanisms ; (3) Co-producing a vision of the future for 2040 and identifying ecosystem-based adaptation objectives; and (4) Co-producing adaptation pathways to achieve the vision and identifying the barriers and levers to their implementation. This process offered to local actors' space and time for discussion, which is currently lacking.I found that the simultaneous co-production of multiple NCP contributes to key quality of life dimensions related to tourism, agriculture and local life. Adaptations from the past, or from future vision objectives involve changes in the co-production of NCP. These adaptations have resulted in reconfigurations of anthropogenic capital in response to drivers that are often external to the SES. I observed a gradient of adaptive responses according to the intensity of capital reconfiguration, leading to resistance, adjustment or transformation in the whole SES or part of it. I observed synergies between NCP co-production actions forming windows of opportunity for the future adaptation of local communities to keep the SES on the desired pathway. These windows include collective management of ecosystems, the creation of new opportunities for agriculture, and the diversification of practices to enjoy non-material benefits of nature. Actions whose implementation encounters many human and social barriers. Thus, major transformations of the social system are required to activate the necessary levers, such as the democratization of collective action and decision-making, social innovation or knowledge and means for adaptive practices. This approach could enable a better consideration of the role of ecosystems in SES adaptation strategies. ; Pour répondre aux objectifs de développement durable dans le contexte du changement climatique, il est désormais urgent pour les sociétés de s'adapter afin de maintenir leur bonne qualité de vie. Celle-ci dépend en grande partie du bon état des écosystèmes et des bénéfices que les sociétés en retirent. Pour relever ce défi, les sociétés doivent rechercher des trajectoires d'adaptation vers un avenir souhaitable, garantissant un usage durable des ressources naturelles. Au cours des dernières décennies, la recherche environnementale a exploré les contributions des écosystèmes au bien-être humain et, plus récemment, leur rôle dans l'adaptation des sociétés aux changements globaux. De nombreuses études se sont focalisées sur l'efficacité et la mise en œuvre de ces « adaptations basées sur les écosystèmes ». Si ces solutions sont de plus en plus considérées pour répondre aux besoins d'adaptation, leur rôle au sein des trajectoires d'adaptation des socio-écosystèmes (SES) reste peu étudié. Mes travaux visent à mieux comprendre comment les écosystèmes peuvent être mobilisés dans les trajectoires d'adaptation aux changements climatiques et socio-économiques des SES. J'ai étudié comment les écosystèmes ont été mobilisés dans la trajectoire passée et l'état actuel d'un SES de montagne : le Pays de la Meije situé dans les Alpes françaises. J'ai également étudié comment ils pourraient être mobilisés dans les futures trajectoires d'adaptation. J'ai développé un cadre conceptuel basé sur celui de l'IPBES et sur le concept associé de « contributions de la nature aux populations » (NCP), considérant que les NCP sont co-produites par l'homme et la nature. Cette approche permet de prendre en compte l'ensemble des capitaux anthropiques et naturels impliqués à chaque étape de la production de bénéfices matériels ou immatériels (Gestion des écosystèmes ; Mobilisation physique et accès à la nature ; et Appropriation et appréciation des bénéfices). J'ai mis en place un processus participatif consultatif basé sur les connaissances, les perceptions et les visions d'une grande diversité d'acteurs locaux et régionaux suivant 4 étapes : (1) Comprendre le fonctionnement actuel du SES au travers des interactions homme/nature participant à la qualité de vie ; (2) Retracer sa trajectoire passée depuis 1900 et caractériser les mécanismes d'adaptation basés sur les écosystèmes ; (3) Co-produire une vision d'avenir pour 2040 et identifier les objectifs d'adaptation basé sur les écosystèmes ; et (4) Co-produire des trajectoires d'adaptation pour atteindre cette vision et identifier les freins et leviers à sa mise en œuvre.J'ai montré que la co-production simultanée de multiples NCP contribue aux principales dimensions de qualité de vie en lien avec le tourisme, l'agriculture et la vie locale. Les adaptations passées ou issues des objectifs de la vision future, reposent sur des changements de co-production des NCP. Elles se traduisent par des reconfigurations des capitaux en réponse à des facteurs souvent externes au SES. J'ai observé un gradient de réponses adaptatives selon l'intensité de la reconfiguration des capitaux menant à la résistance, l'ajustement ou la transformation du SES. J'ai mis en évidence des synergies entre les co-productions formant des fenêtres d'action pour l'adaptation future des communautés locales afin de maintenir le SES dans la trajectoire désirée. Ces fenêtres concernent notamment la gestion collective des écosystèmes ou la création d'opportunités pour l'agriculture. Actions dont la mise en place rencontre de nombreuses barrières humaines et sociales. Ainsi, d'importantes transformations du système social sont requises pour activer les leviers nécessaires, tels que la démocratisation de l'action collective, l'innovation sociale ou encore les connaissances et moyens pour des pratiques adaptatives. Cette approche pourrait permettre une meilleure prise en compte du rôle des écosystèmes dans les stratégies d'adaptation des territoires.

To achieve sustainable development objectives in a context of climate change, it is now urgent for societies to adapt in order to maintain their quality of life. Good quality of life depends critically on the good state of ecosystems and the benefits that societies derive from them. To address this challenge, societies can reflect on how adaptation pathways can lead them towards a desirable future and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. In recent decades, environmental research has explored the contributions of ecosystems for human well-being and, more much recently, their role for the adaptation of societies to global changes. Many studies have focused on the effectiveness and implementation of these "ecosystem-based adaptations". However, while these solutions are increasingly being considered to meet adaptation challenges, their role within the adaptation pathways of social-ecological systems (SES) remains understudied. This research aims to increase our understanding of how ecosystems can be harnessed in SES adaptation pathways to climate and socio-economic changes. For this, I studied how ecosystems have been mobilized in the past trajectory and the current state of a mountain social-ecological system, the Pays de la Meije located in the French Alps. I also studied how ecosystems could be mobilized in future adaptation pathways. I proposed a conceptual framework based on the IPBES and the associated concept of Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) considered to be co-produced by human and nature inputs. This approach enables considering the human-derived and natural capitals involved at the three steps of the production of material or immaterial benefits (Ecosystem management; Physical mobilization and access to nature; and Appropriation and appreciation of benefits). This approach allowed me to analyse adaptation mechanisms based on ecosystems. I implemented a participatory consultative process based on the knowledge, perceptions and visions of a wide range of local and regional actors following 4 steps: (1) Understanding the current functioning of the SES through human-nature interactions that contribute to quality of life; (2) Retracing the past trajectory of the SES since 1900 and characterizing ecosystem-based adaptation mechanisms ; (3) Co-producing a vision of the future for 2040 and identifying ecosystem-based adaptation objectives; and (4) Co-producing adaptation pathways to achieve the vision and identifying the barriers and levers to their implementation. This process offered to local actors' space and time for discussion, which is currently lacking.I found that the simultaneous co-production of multiple NCP contributes to key quality of life dimensions related to tourism, agriculture and local life. Adaptations from the past, or from future vision objectives involve changes in the co-production of NCP. These adaptations have resulted in reconfigurations of anthropogenic capital in response to drivers that are often external to the SES. I observed a gradient of adaptive responses according to the intensity of capital reconfiguration, leading to resistance, adjustment or transformation in the whole SES or part of it. I observed synergies between NCP co-production actions forming windows of opportunity for the future adaptation of local communities to keep the SES on the desired pathway. These windows include collective management of ecosystems, the creation of new opportunities for agriculture, and the diversification of practices to enjoy non-material benefits of nature. Actions whose implementation encounters many human and social barriers. Thus, major transformations of the social system are required to activate the necessary levers, such as the democratization of collective action and decision-making, social innovation or knowledge and means for adaptive practices. This approach could enable a better consideration of the role of ecosystems in SES adaptation strategies. ; Pour répondre aux objectifs de développement durable dans le contexte du changement climatique, il est désormais urgent pour les sociétés de s'adapter afin de maintenir leur bonne qualité de vie. Celle-ci dépend en grande partie du bon état des écosystèmes et des bénéfices que les sociétés en retirent. Pour relever ce défi, les sociétés doivent rechercher des trajectoires d'adaptation vers un avenir souhaitable, garantissant un usage durable des ressources naturelles. Au cours des dernières décennies, la recherche environnementale a exploré les contributions des écosystèmes au bien-être humain et, plus récemment, leur rôle dans l'adaptation des sociétés aux changements globaux. De nombreuses études se sont focalisées sur l'efficacité et la mise en œuvre de ces « adaptations basées sur les écosystèmes ». Si ces solutions sont de plus en plus considérées pour répondre aux besoins d'adaptation, leur rôle au sein des trajectoires d'adaptation des socio-écosystèmes (SES) reste peu étudié. Mes travaux visent à mieux comprendre comment les écosystèmes peuvent être mobilisés dans les trajectoires d'adaptation aux changements climatiques et socio-économiques des SES. J'ai étudié comment les écosystèmes ont été mobilisés dans la trajectoire passée et l'état actuel d'un SES de montagne : le Pays de la Meije situé dans les Alpes françaises. J'ai également étudié comment ils pourraient être mobilisés dans les futures trajectoires d'adaptation. J'ai développé un cadre conceptuel basé sur celui de l'IPBES et sur le concept associé de « contributions de la nature aux populations » (NCP), considérant que les NCP sont co-produites par l'homme et la nature. Cette approche permet de prendre en compte l'ensemble des capitaux anthropiques et naturels impliqués à chaque étape de la production de bénéfices matériels ou immatériels (Gestion des écosystèmes ; Mobilisation physique et accès à la nature ; et Appropriation et appréciation des bénéfices). J'ai mis en place un processus participatif consultatif basé sur les connaissances, les perceptions et les visions d'une grande diversité d'acteurs locaux et régionaux suivant 4 étapes : (1) Comprendre le fonctionnement actuel du SES au travers des interactions homme/nature participant à la qualité de vie ; (2) Retracer sa trajectoire passée depuis 1900 et caractériser les mécanismes d'adaptation basés sur les écosystèmes ; (3) Co-produire une vision d'avenir pour 2040 et identifier les objectifs d'adaptation basé sur les écosystèmes ; et (4) Co-produire des trajectoires d'adaptation pour atteindre cette vision et identifier les freins et leviers à sa mise en œuvre.J'ai montré que la co-production simultanée de multiples NCP contribue aux principales dimensions de qualité de vie en lien avec le tourisme, l'agriculture et la vie locale. Les adaptations passées ou issues des objectifs de la vision future, reposent sur des changements de co-production des NCP. Elles se traduisent par des reconfigurations des capitaux en réponse à des facteurs souvent externes au SES. J'ai observé un gradient de réponses adaptatives selon l'intensité de la reconfiguration des capitaux menant à la résistance, l'ajustement ou la transformation du SES. J'ai mis en évidence des synergies entre les co-productions formant des fenêtres d'action pour l'adaptation future des communautés locales afin de maintenir le SES dans la trajectoire désirée. Ces fenêtres concernent notamment la gestion collective des écosystèmes ou la création d'opportunités pour l'agriculture. Actions dont la mise en place rencontre de nombreuses barrières humaines et sociales. Ainsi, d'importantes transformations du système social sont requises pour activer les leviers nécessaires, tels que la démocratisation de l'action collective, l'innovation sociale ou encore les connaissances et moyens pour des pratiques adaptatives. Cette approche pourrait permettre une meilleure prise en compte du rôle des écosystèmes dans les stratégies d'adaptation des territoires.

To ensure their quality of life, people adapt to multiple changes by maintaining or transforming the structure and functions of their socio-ecological systems (SES). A better understanding of mechanisms underpinning SES adaptation, especially the contribution of changes in human–nature interactions, is crucial to facilitate adaptation to future challenges. Using a chronosystemic timeline and based on literature, archives and local knowledge of inhabitants, we explored the past trajectory of a mountain SES (Pays de la Meije, French Alps) since 1900 by analysing drivers, impacts and responses. We hypothesised that adaptation has occurred through changes in the co-production of nature's contributions to people (NCP). We identified four historical periods of combined changes in agriculture and tourism with associated changes in NCP. Results show which and how drivers of changes have influenced NCP co-production, how NCP have been mobilised in adaptive responses and how human and natural capitals involved in NCP co-production have been reconfigured for adaptation. We show that drivers of change have been mainly exogenous and out of the control of local actors, like public policies, markets and consumption patterns. These drivers can directly impact the capitals involved in NCP co-production like amount of workforce, knowledge or skills, creating not only threats but also opportunities for the livelihood of the local community. Depending on the intensity of capital reconfiguration and the type of NCP involved, adaptive responses range from resistance to transformation of the governance system and socio-economic sectors. This analysis highlights existing path dependencies that could hinder future adaptation.

Scientists increasingly cross their disciplinary boundaries and connect with local stakeholders to jointly solve complex problems. Working with stakeholders means higher legitimacy and supports practical impact of research. Games provide a tool to achieve such transdisciplinary collaboration. In this paper, we explore the use of a game in a participatory project where scientists and local stakeholders are seeking and defining a joint problem. The literature is clear that this step is essential but remains short on concrete methods. Here, we explore this potential in practice. We conducted parallel participatory processes in two alpine regions considered as socio-ecological system (SES) in Switzerland and France, both vulnerable to global change. Based on these two case studies, we co-constructed a game, integrating scientific concerns about key land use, climate change and socio-economic elements of a mountain SES (tourism, agriculture, housing and demography). With the game, we assessed the existence of joint problems connecting scientific and local interests. The game successfully engaged participants at both sites over 11 game sessions, showing potential of use in other transdisciplinary settings. By covering a wide array of issues, the game created a discussion space for listing problems and identifying where scientist and stakeholder interests overlap. In Switzerland, the game revealed no pressing joint problem to be addressed. In France, game sessions revealed, among other problems, an enduring and complex issue regarding the co-existence of inhabitants and powerful institutions. Having demonstrated the capacity of this game for joint-problem assessment, we believe other participatory research in similar SES could benefit from an early use of such an approach to frame the potential for collaboration. ; ISSN:1862-4065 ; ISSN:1862-4057

International audience ; Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

International audience ; Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

International audience ; Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

International audience Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

International audience ; Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

International audience ; Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work cooperatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.

Human actions have driven earth systems close to irreversible and profound change. The need to shift towards intentional transformative adaptation (ITA) is clear. Using case studies from the Transformative Adaptation Research Alliance (TARA), we explore ITA as a way of thinking and acting that is transformative in concept and objectives, but achieved through a mix of incremental and transformative co-production processes that ultimately lead to the social-ecological system being transformed. Central to ITA are social and political issues of how individuals and collectives address environmental and social change and deal with power imbalances. ITA approaches are claimed to help overcome adaptation challenges, including: 1) re-framing human-nature relationships; 2) dealing with uncertainty; 3) engendering empowerment and agency and 4) addressing conflicting values and interests. However, it is unclear if these approaches work in practice. We examined six adaptation case studies in which participants used processes of: 1) co-producing visions of the future; 2) re-framing values, rules and knowledge to shift decision contexts for adaptation and 3) implementing actions using theories of change and adaptation pathways. We assessed the extent to which participants could use these processes to address their adaptation challenges. We found evidence of many positive achievements towards the implementation of ITA, but also examples where processes were not working, such as communities having difficulties in finding ways to work co-operatively. Different processes will be needed to address these issues, such as promoting pluralism, knowledge contestation, and deliberative re-politicisation of the adaptation agenda to shift power imbalances and enable change.