Integrating Multiple Disciplines in Biogeosciences

Integration of social sciences with biology and physical sciences has become a priority in the last 10 years or so. Humans dominate or affect virtually the entire planet and biogeophysical conditions and functions influence human activities and well being. New conceptual approaches and practical tools are emerging to foster integration among biological, physical and social science disciplines. This type of integrative research should be an essential component of the Biogeosciences section.

Study of human-dominated systems, and recognition of the effects of human activities on ecosystems is not a new topic. However, humans have traditionally been considered as external divers of ecosystem dynamics, similar to biogeophysical drivers such as climate. The traditional approach is unable to address important interactions and feedbacks that influence long-term ecosystem dynamics, e.g. the interaction of climate change, land use and biodiversity. New models that explicitly incorporate human systems along with "natural" systems allow for evaluation of biophysical and social factors in a framework capable of depicting adaptation and sustainability over time (Figure 1).

Scale issues, which are a challenge in all areas of environmental science, are a particular challenge when integrating across disciplines. In social systems, spatial scales range from individuals to groups of increasing size and diverse composition (e.g., ethnic, socio-economic, political). The temporal scales of social systems range from short-term (days) individual decision-making processes to the longer-term (centuries) evolution of social and political systems. Harmonizing these social scales with those more common in biological and physical sciences will be a major challenge in the Biogeosciences over the next couple of decades.

There are many practical challenges to integration of disciplines. Discipline-specific jargon and differing approaches to experimentation are major hindrances to integration. On the other hand, geographic information systems (GIS) and other types of maps can greatly foster integration among disciplines by providing a common spatial focus. Models of varying complexity can also be useful. Simple models are useful as heuristic devices to illustrate linkages, and more complex models can be used to depict complex interactions and feedbacks between social, physical and biological components of ecosystems. The Biogeosciences section should be an important venue for developing practical tools to foster integration.

Figure 1. The human ecosystem framework conceptual model for linking physical, biological and social sciences. From: Machlis, G. E., J. E. Force, and W. R. Burch Jr. 1997. The human ecosystem as an organizing concept in ecosystem management. Society & Natural Resources 10:346-367.