Advancing Empirical Approaches to the Concept of Resilience: A Critical Examination of Panarchy, Ecological Information, and Statistical Evidence

Kharrazi, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5881-2568, Fath, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9440-6842, & Katzmair, H. (2016). Advancing Empirical Approaches to the Concept of Resilience: A Critical Examination of Panarchy, Ecological Information, and Statistical Evidence. Sustainability 8 (9) e935. 10.3390/su8090935.

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Abstract

Despite its ambiguities, the concept of resilience is of critical importance to researchers, practitioners, and policy‐makers in dealing with dynamic socio‐ecological systems. In this paper, we critically examine the three empirical approaches of (i) panarchy; (ii) ecological
information‐based network analysis; and (iii) statistical evidence of resilience to three criteria determined for achieving a comprehensive understanding and application of this concept. These criteria are: (1) the ability to reflect a system’s adaptability to shocks; (2) the ability to integrate social and environmental dimensions; and (3) the ability to evaluate system‐level trade‐offs. Our findings show that none of the three currently applied approaches are strong in handling all three criteria. Panarchy is strong in the first two criteria but has difficulty with normative trade‐offs. The ecological information‐based approach is strongest in evaluating trade‐offs but relies on common dimensions that lead to over‐simplifications in integrating the social and environmental dimensions. Statistical evidence provides the suggestions that are simplest and easiest to act upon but are generally weak in all three criteria. This analysis confirms the value of these approaches in specific instances but also the need for further research in advancing empirical approaches to the concept of resilience.

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