Connectivity and the Governance of Multilevel Social-Ecological Systems: The Role of Social Capital

TLDR

Environmental governance faces challenges from increasing connectivity and interdependencies between ecological and social systems. The study reviews resource governance literature and emphasizes the need to recognize multilevel problems and institutional social capital for sustainable ecosystem protection. The authors use the Xingu Indigenous Park and its surrounding agro-industrial region as a case study to examine resource governance. They argue that no single spatial or temporal level suffices for sustainable, effective, and equitable governance of ecosystems and services.

Abstract

We discuss the challenges confronting environmental governance caused by the increasing connectivity of resource-use systems and the growing functional interdependencies of ecological and social systems. We take as a point of departure the case of the Xingu Indigenous Park (PIX) in Brazil and its surrounding agro-industrial region. This case provides a basis for reviewing the literature on resource governance, including both points of consensus and contentious issues. We argue that no fixed spatial or temporal level is appropriate for governing ecosystems and their services sustainably, effectively, and equitably. We point to the need to recognize the multilevel nature of such problems and the role of institutions in facilitating cross-level environmental governance as an important form of social capital that is essential for the long-term protection of ecosystems and the well-being of different populations.