A Common Framework for Integrating the Economic and Ecologic Dimensions of Human Ecosystems. I: General Considerations

Clapham, W.B. & Pestel, R.F. (1978). A Common Framework for Integrating the Economic and Ecologic Dimensions of Human Ecosystems. I: General Considerations. IIASA Research Memorandum. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: RM-78-029

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Abstract

Human ecosystems such as agriculture can be viewed as multi-stratum hierarchical systems with control being exerted by various sectors of society, impinging on the modified environment, and guided by overall societal goals. Many potential controlling inputs are available, but the system as a whole is not fully controllable. Most analyses of human ecosystems have adopted this approach implicitly. But they tend to concentrate on only one stratum, so that there is little communication between analysts concerned with different levels or the models they espouse. There are many valid reasons for this lack of communication for certain sorts of anlyses, but there are also many emerging problems which require a more comprehensive approach in which different strata are coupled. The views of the system characterizing different levels must be made mutually compatible, and information must be able to flow throughout the key parts of the system. These criteria impose requirements for time resolution and the character of each variable involved in the communication linkage. But if these requirements are met, the construction of substantial multi-stratum models of human ecosystems can be carried out and validated.

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