Principles [P]

Key Implications (i) for Research, Management and Policy

P1: H-E systems are coupled, dynamic and co-adapting, so that their structure, function and interrelationships change over time

i1: Understanding dryland desertification and development issues always requires the simultaneous consideration of both human and ecological drivers

P2: A limited suite of ‘slow’ variables are critical determinants of H-E system dynamics

i2: A limited suite of critical processes and variables at any scale makes a complex problem tractable

P3: Thresholds in key slow variables define different states of H-E systems, often with different controlling processes; thresholds may change over time

 

i3: The costs of intervention rise non-linearly with increasing land degradation or the degree of socioeconomic dysfunction; yet high variability means great uncertainty in detecting thresholds, implying that managers should invoke the precautionary principle

P4: Coupled H-E systems are hierarchical, nested and networked across multiple scales

 

i4: H-E systems must be managed at the appropriate scale; cross-scale linkages are important in this, but are often remote and weak in drylands, requiring special institutional attention

P5: The maintenance of a body of up-to-date LEK is key to functional co-adaptation of H-E systems

i5: The development of scientific and LEK must be accelerated both for local management and regional policy