Applied Panarchy: Applications and Diffusion Across Disciplines

The city of Flint, Michigan, used panarchy theory to assess its resilience and move towards a more sustainable food system. Applied Panarchy, a successor to Lance Gunderson and C.S. Holling's 2002 volume, documents the advances in interdisciplinary panarchy scholarship and applications over the past two decades. Panarchy theory describes how systems interact in unpredictable ways, and Applied Panarchy demonstrates how it can be modified and refined to influence natural resources management and environmental stewardship. The book is intended for graduate courses in environmental sciences and related fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 22 August 2022
Publisher: Island Press

After enduring a protracted economic downturn, the city of Flint, Michigan, grappled with persistent challenges related to toxic water supply, malnutrition, and food security gaps among its residents. In response, a community-engaged research project emerged, proposing a resilience assessment that aimed to steer the city towards a more sustainable food system. Flint serves as a notable example of how panarchy theory is being employed to comprehend and exert influence over complex human-natural systems. Applied Panarchy, the highly anticipated sequel to Lance Gunderson and C.S. Holling's groundbreaking 2002 volume Panarchy, showcases the remarkable advancements in interdisciplinary panarchy scholarship and applications over the past two decades. Panarchy theory has been applied across a diverse array of fields, including economics, law, and urban planning, leading to measurable and tangible improvements in environmental stewardship practices. Panarchy elucidates the interconnected nature of systems, encompassing forests, electrical grids, agriculture, coastal surges, public health, and human economies and governance, which interact in unpredictable ways. While humans yearn for resilience and stability to better understand the world and ensure survival, nature itself lacks permanent stability. How can society prepare for and adapt to the changes unfolding around us? Applied Panarchy takes the scholarship to a new level, demonstrating how these concepts have been modified and refined. The book illustrates how panarchy theory intersects with other disciplines and directly influences natural resources management and environmental stewardship. Designed as a text for graduate courses in environmental studies, Applied Panarchy offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of this dynamic field.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642830897