Landscape Ecol (2018) 33:1–7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-018-0610-7 EDITORIAL How can landscape ecology contribute to sustainability science? Paul Opdam . Sandra Luque . Joan Nassauer . Peter H. Verburg . Jianguo Wu Received: 7 January 2018 / Accepted: 9 January 2018 / Published online: 15 January 2018 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature 2018 While landscape ecology is distinct from sustainability science, landscape ecologists have expressed their ambitions to help society advance sustainability of landscapes. In this context Wu (2013) coined the concept of landscape sustainability science. In August of 2017 we joined the 5th forum of landscape sustainability science in P. Opdam (&) P. H. Verburg Land Use Planning Group & Alterra, Wageningen Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] J. Wu S. Luque School of Life Sciences, School of Sustainability, Julie A. IRSTEA – UMR TETIS Territoires, Environnement, Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State Te´le´de´tection ET Information Spatiale, Montpellier, University, Tempe, USA France J. Wu J. Nassauer Center for Human–Environment System Sustainability School for Environment and Sustainability, University of (CHESS), Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA P. H. Verburg Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 123 2 Landscape Ecol (2018) 33:1–7 Beijing (see http://leml.asu.edu/chess/FLSS/05/index.html). To inspire landscape ecologists in developing research for a more sustainable future, we highlight some of the key points raised there. We emphasize challenges that have been identified in sustainability science that we consider particularly relevant for landscape sustainability. Then we describe how landscape ecology could enrich sustainability science. Finally, we propose five topics for landscape ecology research to advance landscape sustainability science. Key challenges in sustainability science sustainability (Ekins et al. 2003;Wu2013) may be used to deepen understanding of what a sustainable Reflective papers on the progress in sustainability landscape may be. research have produced important insights in key features and enabling factors that determine how Changes to make local landscapes more science may contribute to transitions towards sustain- sustainable have implications for landscapes ability (Lang et al. 2012; Miller 2013; Miller et al. elsewhere 2014; Fischer et al. 2015; Balvanera et al. 2017 and Scha¨pke et al. 2017). For landscape ecologists, we Although we argue that landscape sustainability is think the following four insights are of particular framed in the context of local or regional landscapes, relevance. any decision to adapt the use of a local landscape may have consequences for the sustainability of landscapes Research alone cannot determine elsewhere in the world (Meyfroidt et al. 2013). For whether a particular landscape is in a sustainable example, lowering the intensity of food production in state one area may trigger an increase of land use intensity elsewhere. Another example is that the whole global A sustainable landscape is a normative concept. It population benefits from climate mitigation capacities recognizes that landscape functions are the foundation of forested landscapes in a region. Therefore, science for solutions to problems of human well-being (Wu should give insight about how local, regional, and 2013). However, this may mean different things to global drivers and effects are connected (Verburg et al. different stakeholders. The identification of problems 2015) so that local decision makers are aware of the and solutions is inevitably connected to beliefs, values implications of their own choices for the sustainability and preferences of people who live in the landscape, as of the ‘system earth’. well as others who depend on its resources and functions. Therefore, science can identify a sustain- Solutions-oriented research receives inadequate able landscape only in dialogue with these stakehold- attention in science ers. This dialogue is a fundamental connection between scientific knowledge and human experiences By definition, sustainability hinges on the dynamic in local landscapes (Miller 2013), and should allow for relationship between society and nature. This rela- choices about the future landscape to be expressed by tionship can be taken as a basis for analytical and mixed groups of stakeholders (including policy mak- integrative research for understanding complex ers). For example, in a modelling approach with socio- social-ecological systems (SES). As Miller et al. economic scenarios that facilitates building a vision (2014) and Fischer et al. (2015) have pointed out, about a future landscape, scientists should select SES has been the dominant focus of sustainability indicators for sustainability in dialogue with stake- science thus far. However, generating landscape holders and determine with them which are the solutions has been less widely pursued within required levels of those indicators to meet the sustainability science—despite it being defined as a sustainability aims of local society. Scientists could place-based, use-inspired science (Kates 2012). bring in the concept of natural capital and determine in Therefore, solutions-oriented research must now be dialogue what level of natural capital is critical for a priority (Miller et al. 2014; Fischer et al. 2015). maintaining the capacity of the landscape to provide Generating sustainable landscape solutions requires long-term landscape benefits to future generations. In societal engagement, collaboration between sectors this dialogue the concepts of weak and strong andcreativityinseekingnew landscape patterns to 123 Landscape Ecol (2018) 33:1–7 3 make sure that solutions are embedded in society spatially explicit analytical and design approaches. In (Nassauer and Opdam 2008; Musacchio 2011). the following we propose four fundamental landscape Hence, collaborative and participatory (transdisci- ecological contributions to sustainability science. plinary) research aimed at creating solutions is essential (Lang et al. 2012;Wangetal.2014). A spatially explicit approach Science can facilitate societal transformations Miller et al. (2014) identified the need for sustainabil- towards sustainability ity science to pay more attention to mapping sustain- ability values. Mapping spatial patterns is a core Moving landscapes toward sustainability often method of landscape ecology. Mapping approaches requires fundamental societal transformations (also are equally essential for sustainability research and called transitions, see Kates and Parris 2003; Lambin practice because, after all, the sustainability of a place 2005; Loorbach 2010), including changes in how is determined not only by what it is composed of, but landscapes are valued, newly established relations also how its components are spatially arranged and between societal actors, and new governance managed. Landscape ecology brings spatial extent, approaches. Landscape research in design/planning, spatial heterogeneity and spatial connectivity into the social, and environmental disciplines are needed to fore. The challenge is to link these spatial character- understand how to promote, trigger, and facilitate such istics to values that are meaningful to landscape transitions. Increasing evidence suggests that collab- decision makers, including residents, land owners and orative forms of governance, which are adaptive and practitioners. Spatial pattern has been associated with iterative (rather than rule-based and linear,) support the performance of natural processes to produce such transformations (Armitage et al. 2009). Such benefits to human society. For example, numerous governance requires knowledge exchange and com- studies have shown that the form and configuration of plex forms of learning in social networks (Pahl-Wostl landscapes affect the psychological and physical 2009). Where collaborative forms of governance wellbeing of humans, including all biodiversity-based emerge, an effective dialogue between science and landscape services. Dronova (2017) highlighted the practice requires that scientists go beyond providing potential of landscape heterogeneity to link multiple information. Rather, science must engage with society landscape benefits. Such a link between pattern and in a way that fosters both motivation and capacity for value is of great relevance in building multi-functional societal change (Lambin 2005; Scha¨pke et al. 2017). visions and in designing future landscapes (Termor- shuizen and Opdam 2009). What landscape ecology has to offer A multiple scale approach to sustainability science While many landscape decisions are made at a local Since landscape ecology envisions the landscape as level, the drivers behind these decisions are often the outcome of the complex relations between humans fuelled by economic processes resulting from deci- and nature, it provides a useful framework for sions and behaviours at spatial scale levels far above sustainability science. The call for interdisciplinary, the landscape level. In contrast, when decisions based multiple purpose and multiple scale approaches in on sustainability principles are made about local landscape ecology is consistent with the Sustainable landscapes, the results may not be sustainable from a Development