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A holistic perspective on natural resource management with interdisciplinary approaches

Published: 19 November 2024
A stream in the forest. Photo.

The field of natural resource management involves managing the interactions between humans and natural landscapes. “By examining the issue from five different disciplinary perspectives, we achieved a completely new level of understanding,” says Elisabeth Bolund, who together with four other researchers at SLU led an IDA project that concluded in June 2024.

Natural resource management involves dealing with the ways in which humans and natural landscapes interact.

– One major challenge in natural resource management is addressing the fact that resources are not infinite. Resources we consider renewable, like cod and herring in the sea, will eventually be depleted if we harvest far more fish each year than new fish entering the population. This requires a trade-off between how much we fish today and how much will remain in 5, 10, or 100 years, says Elisabeth Bolund, researcher at the Department of Aquatic Resources at SLU.

However, translating these trade-offs into practical decisions—determining sustainable fishing limits to maintain viable stocks in the long term—has proven easier said than done.

– A great deal of the difficulty lies in the fact that individual natural resources are part of complex systems. We need to balance various interests across time and space. As researchers, we strive to fully understand these complex systems before drawing conclusions, while decision-makers need to act on available knowledge to make timely decisions, she explains.

Three key concepts in natural resource management

The interdisciplinary IDA project, “Trade-offs and Scale in Natural Resource Management - Developing an Interdisciplinary Adaptable Research Framework to Inform Policy-Relevant Decisions” was carried out during eight months.

– We used various examples within natural resource management to explore the importance of three fundamental concepts that recur in this field: trade-offs, scale, and causality. Many times, in our discussions, I was able to view a question or concept from a completely different angle than I am used to. By examining a question from five different disciplinary perspectives, we achieved a new level of holistic insight.

Listening with openness and humility

How has it been working with researchers from other disciplines?

– It has worked very well. It was incredibly valuable to dedicate one-fifth of our work time over eight months to IDA, without the usual pressure to deliver a set number of predetermined products. The freedom to give time to discussion allowed all group members to contribute ideas, and open discussions often led to new insights.

– We all practiced listening to each other with openness and humility—something we should be trained in as researchers, but it is all too easy to think within the framework of one’s own discipline and assume that other fields misunderstand the question or are not focusing on what is important. We have learned to find common ground, learn from our differences, and communicate more effectively in interdisciplinary settings.

The value of interdisciplinarity in natural resource management

Natural resource management relies on collaboration between research and management, which means a transdisciplinary approach.

– But even within research, collaboration between different disciplines is needed—that is, an interdisciplinary approach. If we look at the role of pollinators in agricultural landscapes, different scientific disciplines can contribute their own piece of the puzzle. An ecologist can explain their role in the ecosystem and the ecosystem services they provide, an agronomist can examine the pollinators' importance for food production, and an economist can explore whether consumers are willing to pay more for products produced in a way that supports pollinators, and so on.

A framework to kickstart new projects

The project results include a framework that can help newly formed research groups in natural resource management to start up a project.

– This is achieved through a series of discussion questions designed to help group members start communicating about key concepts that clarify different assumptions and attitudes within various disciplines. The core concepts are trade-offs, scale, and causality. This exercise builds trust among participants, fosters an understanding of each other’s perspectives, facilitates open communication, and can help the group identify missing skills needed to address the research question.

A survey of 228 researchers in different European countries was also conducted.

– The focus was ‘Challenges for interdisciplinary collaboration,’ and the goal was to investigate to what extent the broader scientific community finds a framework based on the concepts of trade-offs, scale, and causality useful.

Listen to each other!

The project team now aims to publish the results in three scientific articles, and they are eager to continue collaborating in different contexts. What’s important to keep in mind when working with researchers from other fields?

– Remember that building effective, rewarding collaborations across disciplines takes time. Maintain an open and humble approach to others’ knowledge and perspectives and listen to each other!

Facts:

These SLU researchers participated in the project Trade-offs and scale in natural resource management - developing an interdisciplinary adaptable research framework to inform policy-relevant conversations:

  • Elisabeth Bolund, Department of Aquatic Resources
  • Verena Germann, Department of Energy and Technology
  • Adan L Martinez Cruz, Department of Forest Economics
  • Mahbubjon Rahmatov, Department of Plant Breeding
  • Erik Öckinger, Department of Plant Ecology

Interdisciplinary Academy, IDA

Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at SLU is an interdisciplinary initiative that started in 2022. The core of IDA is interdisciplinary research groups that for eight months get the opportunity to develop their ability to work interdisciplinary together and in an inspiring environment. The goal is to increase knowledge about interdisciplinary working methods at SLU as a whole. The IDA initiative is funded by the NJ Faculty and SLU Future Food and is in line with the faculty's strategy, which states that the faculty will strengthen the ability to process research issues from an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspective and facilitate collaborations between different departments. Interdisciplinary Academy has been initiated and is led by SLU Future Food, one of SLU's four future platforms, all of which are tasked with promoting interdisciplinarity at the university.

What do we mean by cross-disciplinary research?

Multi- inter-, and transdisciplinary research is defined by SLU Future Food as research that comprises theory, method or research approaches from more than one scientific discipline or fields of research. In multidisciplinary research the different theories, methods or approaches are used side by side, and in interdisciplinary research they are, at least to some extent, integrated. Transdisciplinary research is distinguished in its recognition and inclusion of other types of knowledge than scientific knowledge, such as practice and experience based knowledge and knowhow.

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