An Analysis of the Progress and Development of CHANS Frameworks

Keywords: Coupled Human and Natural Systems, CHANS, SES, Frameworks, Human-Environment Studies
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) are ubiquitous and encompass a wide variety of systems’ issues relevant to the modern day, from algal blooms and fisheries collapse to sustainable tourism and ecosystem services. Understanding these systems is a prerequisite to managing them and thus addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges. CHANS frameworks are a way to analyze and conceptualize these systems through the lenses of agents, causes/effects, flows, coupling, feedback loops, and more, and permits an understanding of system relationships and functions that may otherwise remain hidden. This research analyzes the progress of CHANS research in terms of the development of frameworks through a PRISMA analysis of the literature available in Scopus. The results indicate that many concepts seen as central to CHANS (coupling, thresholds, scales) are not fully integrated into most CHANS frameworks. The findings also suggest that most CHANS frameworks attempt application, but many do so in a qualitative way without producing any data. Additionally, the results find an even attention to human and natural systems in most CHANS frameworks, but for those with an unbalanced approach, the focus tends more towards human systems. Further, this research explores the trends of standard components that make up CHANS, such as environmental factors, human factors, and flow dynamics. Finally, this research provides advice for the further growth and development of CHANS science generally and CHANS frameworks more specifically.