Transdisciplinary Application of Cross-Scale Resilience

Shana M. Sundstrom, David G. Angeler, Ahjond S. Garmestani, Jorge García and Craig R. Allen
Additional contact information
Shana M. Sundstrom: Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
David G. Angeler: Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7050, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Ahjond S. Garmestani: EPA, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
Craig R. Allen: U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, US

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: The cross-scale resilience model was developed in ecology to explain the emergence of resilience from the distribution of ecological functions within and across scales, and as a tool to assess resilience. We propose that the model and the underlying discontinuity hypothesis are relevant to other complex adaptive systems, and can be used to identify and track changes in system parameters related to resilience. We explain the theory behind the cross-scale resilience model, review the cases where it has been applied to non-ecological systems, and discuss some examples of social-ecological, archaeological/ anthropological, and economic systems where a cross-scale resilience analysis could add a quantitative dimension to our current understanding of system dynamics and resilience. We argue that the scaling and diversity parameters suitable for a resilience analysis of ecological systems are appropriate for a broad suite of systems where non-normative quantitative assessments of resilience are desired. Our planet is currently characterized by fast environmental and social change, and the cross-scale resilience model has the potential to quantify resilience across many types of complex adaptive systems.

Keywords: complex adaptive systems; cross-scale dynamics; discontinuities; quantitative resilience; multidisciplinary application; social-ecological systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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