The significance of meaning. Why IPBES needs the social sciences and humanities

Figures & data

Table 1. A matrix for deliberation.

	Conservation	Sustainable use	Fair and equitable sharing of benefits
Diversity within species, genes, populations
Diversity between species
Diversity of ecosystems, landscapes, biomes

Table 2. The differences between the natural sciences, the social sciences, and ethics – an overview.

	Natural sciences	Social sciences	Ethics
Method	Description (cause – effect)		Justification (of validity)
Subject area (“Gegenstandsbereich”)	Natural phenomena	Social phenomena
		Practices, motives, desires, emotions, goals, norms, values, habits, beliefs, etc.	Norms and values

Table 3. Elements of the IPBES conceptual framework as stemming from different knowledge systems.

General, highly inclusive category	Dominant interpretation in scientific discourses	Examples of interpretations in other knowledge systems
Good quality of life	Human well-being	Living in harmony with nature Living well and in balance with Mother Earth
Nature’s benefits to people	Ecosystem goods and services	Nature’s gifts
Nature	Biodiversity and ecosystems	Mother Earth Web of life Creation