People and nature – fostering inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration for biodiversity and sustainable human interactions

Over the last 50 years, dramatic changes in global climate, biodiversity, availability of agricultural land and many other factors have come to threaten the future of societies and the existence of ecosystems on planet Earth (Díaz et al. 2019). By now it is unmistakably clear that we are in the midst of a major anthropogenic ecological crisis that fundamentally questions the way humans relate to nature. Not least given the scientific evidence that recently informed the ‘now or never’-statement by UN General-Secretary António Guterres in his reaction to the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which sees the world ‘on a fast track to climate disaster’ should we fail to take immediate action (United Nation 2022). Moreover, we also face the challenges posed by the post-factual era, in which people seem to rely more on emotions and beliefs than on facts (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus n.d.). Thus, it is not only necessary to generate and interpret data that show in concrete terms the influence of humans on the planet and its environment, but also to examine the implications of these for socio-ecological conditions and to formulate alternative paths of action that contribute towards finding answers to these challenges. In this, not only the inter- and transdisciplinary research into and conservation of global biodiversity and sustainable human interactions with Earth systems is a priority scientific and societal challenge, but it is also essential to share science-based, multi-perspective information using knowledge transfer and participation (IPBES 2019).

These multi-dimensional challenges call for more innovation and a shift in thinking towards transdisciplinary collaboration between different actors. Boundary institutions – institutions organizing the interface between science and policy, like the editors’ affiliations to the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) – may initiate and promote these changes, because the need to transfer knowledge and foster societal change is deeply built into their DNA (Gustafsson and Lidskog 2018).

But while the UN focuses on social systems, urban issues, climate actions and energy policies – as The European Journal of Social Science Research has done with its thematic focuses over the past years – it is also important that fundamental reflections about ‘People and Nature’ be addressed as well, in order to explore new approaches in social concepts of and interrelations with nature. Social-science research must break the confines of social and socio-technical systems to integrate decisive variables (e.g. derived from approaches to study and from perceptions of nature in other scientific disciplines) into its methodological deductions. The special issue at hand presented under the leadership of the Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science (MfN) is the first contribution in this spirit.

In this special issue, we aim to foster innovation in the way we act, the way we think, and also learn how to innovate. For this, there needs to be a constant exchange of ideas and experience that stimulate and generate dialogue and collaboration. We still know little about how to bring systematic changes in economic and lifestyle practices on a global scale. Understanding individual and collective perspectives on nature becomes fundamental here, as they decisively shape perception of, evaluation of and action towards nature (Krömker 2004; Hartung and Kirchhoff 2014).

The six articles presented in this issue provide impulses for the still largely untapped transformative potential of inter- and transdisciplinarity by giving a broad overview of the political and systemic dimension, conceptual dimension, the reciprocal relationship between people and nature, and by providing insights into the role of local knowledge and practices.

In his contribution, Carsten Wergin introduces the idea of landscape collboaratia, which challenges the unidirectional, institutionalized management of landscapes that prioritize either natural or cultural values. In his proposal, he illustrates the need to rethink traditional practices and disciplinary approaches towards more inclusive, participatory knowledge production.

The meaning of local interpretations in shaping global actions are shown in the article ‘Speaking of a climate crisis’ by Reichel et al. Their analysis of the Friday for Future movement in Estonia and Germany shows local differences and similarities how climate change is framed as a link between knowledge and action.

With their conceptual contribution to the debate on social nature relations, Eversberg et al. propose a relational framework for a ‘space of social relationships with nature’ that allows for a deeper understanding of social and ecological dimensions of transformation and their political implications. The application of this framework is shown by Lilian Pungas in her analysis of the complex interplay between various factors of social power and social nature relations in the relationship between people and nature in the example of Food Self-Provisioning in Eastern Europe. These two contributions provide impulses for further inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue and cooperation for a meaningful transformation towards an ecologically sustainable future.

Such changes can only be effectively implemented in local and concrete contexts. We often find examples of innovation in very different global places; some are based on ancient practices that have been rediscovered. Drees et al. provides an example on how such an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary process led to the transformation of nomadic pastoralism in Mongolia. By creating four scenario storylines for the development of the social-ecological system of the eastern Mongolian steppe until 2050, they help to broaden the view for possible futures in terms of a sustainability transition.

Niedziałkowski et al. analyse how far-reaching the consequences of political institutions have been on concrete survival of species, using the example of the wolf in Belarus. They show how, with the help of transdisciplinary cooperation, policy in the field of species protection could be renewed, and they explain what political processes prevent this urgent innovation.

As such, this special issue extends the understanding of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches in human interactions with Earth systems. The articles provide promising examples that underscore the innovative potential of interdisciplinary scientific knowledge transfer. However, they also present an opportunity for reflection and call for further and new opportunities for sharing ideas, and for learning and collaborating with each other in the research process as early as the conceptual stage. We must increasingly use the available services provided by the scientific system, such as interdisciplinary open access journals like Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research. However, we believe that we also need to develop new, additional formats for a more meaningful and deeper inter- and transdisciplinary exchange of information and ideas.

We thank all authors for their inspiring contributions and hope that this special issue will initiate further dialogue and collaboration.