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4.9. Reusswig

Keynote Presentations from the 2nd ALTER-Net Summer School, Peyresq 1 - 13 September 2007



Speaker: Fritz Reusswig
Fritz.Reusswig -at- pik-potsdam.de
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Personal homepage


Title of the talk: Biodiversity conflicts: Perspectives from the social sciences (pdf: 2MB)


Summary of the talk by Martin Hirschnitz: Students´ summary (pdf)


Abstract

Biodiversity conflicts: Perspectives from the social sciences

In his talk, PIK sociologist Fritz Reusswig will highlight the role of social conflicts in human interactions with the biosphere. If natural scientists care about these conflicts, they usually assume scarcity and interest conflicts (different, if not opposing forms of use) as as the main drivers. The talk will focus on another, often neglected aspect of biodiversity conflicts: conflicts of interpretation. Different views and values can also lead to conflicts with regard to ecosystem goods and services. The talk will give some examples, highlight some relevant aspects, and indicate how conflict resolutions might look like.




Recommended background literature on this presentation:

  • Cincotta RP, Wisnewski J, Engelman R (2000) Human population in the biodiversity hotspots. Nature 404:990-992, doi:10.1038/35010105
  • Collins R (1975) Conflict sociology. Toward an explanatory science. Academic Press, New York 584pp.
  • Diamond J (2005) Collapse. How societies choose to fail or succeed. Penguin Group New York 592pp.
  • Lass W, Reusswig F (eds.) (2002) Social monitoring: Meaning and methods for an integrated management in biosphere reserves. Report of an international workshop. Rome, 2-3 September 2001. Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring (BRIM) Series No. 1. UNESCO, Paris.
  • O`Riordan T, Stoll-Kleemann S (eds.) (2002) Biodiversity, sustainability and human communities. Protecting beyond the protected. Cambridge University Press Cambridge 334pp.
  • Takacs D (1996) The idea of biodiversity: Philosophies of paradise. Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore 500pp.