Projects
Interactive effects of local and landscape scale restoration of semi-natural grasslands and agricultural fields on species interactions and ecosystem functions in different social-ecological systems KU Leuven
This project will investigate species interactions across different trophic levels including (1) plant-soil, (2) plant-pollinator and (3) bird-food resource interactions, in restored and degraded calcareous grasslands that are embedded in different socio-ecological and landscape contexts in three countries (Germany, Spain and Estonia). Additionally, it will measure ecosystem functions including soil functions, pollination and predation. ...
Congo Basin Forest Biogeochemistry Observatory (COBBOF): Relieving pressure on social-ecological systems in the Congo basin Ghent University
This effort consolidates a unique socio-ecological research infrastructure for answering pressing questions in a rapidly changing environment in the Congo basin. We investigate 1) greenhouse gas balance of intact tropical forest, 2) recovery and deviations of ecosystem functions in regrowth forest and forested vs. human-impacted ecosystems, respectively, and 3) impact of zonation agreements and agricultural intensification in rural complexes ...
The role of non-timber forest products in the sustainability of social-ecological systems: A critical analysis of selected case-studies in the Brazilian Cerrado KU Leuven
The Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America. It occupies an area of 2,036,448 square kilometers – which corresponds to approximately 22% of the Brazilian territory – spanning over the states of Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão, PiauÃ, Rondônia, Paraná, São Paulo and the Distrito Federal (www.mma.gov.br). It is one of the world´s biodiversity hotspots and is recognized as ...
Agent-based modelling of the social-ecological system of Sagalassos/AÄŸlasun in past and present KU Leuven
Resource flow analysis of the social-ecological system of Sagalassos/AÄŸlasun in past and present KU Leuven
In this interdisciplinary PhD research the environmental impact of urban and rural structures and activities during past and present times of accelerated growth will be explored using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is a methodological approach to assess environmental impacts in a quantitative, systematic way considering all input- and output-related impacts along the complete life cycle of a process or product. LCA is commonly used to ...
Sustainability and governance of socio-ecological systems in the 21st century: Examining contemporary pathways leading to a more sustainable and just society. KU Leuven
The overall goal of this research is threefold: (i) to further social and spatial sciences knowledge of the relationship between human beings and nature; (ii) to examine socio-ecological processes and transformations that lead to improvements in or deterioration of socio-ecological systems and their governance; (iii) to reflect on contemporary pathways leading to a more sustainable and just society. Research questions to be addressed to ...
Sabbatical Constanza Parra: Sustainability, transdiciplinarity and social innovation in socio-ecological systems KU Leuven
The overall goal of this sabbatical is to improve my understanding of the socio-territorial processes and mechanisms underpinning the nexus between sustainable socio-ecological development, social innovation and adaptation to climate change. Within this exploration, I will give special attention to the analysis of how the ambitions of gender equality and women’s empowerment play out in this nexus. To achieve this goal, this sabbatical ...
Comparative research on social innovation and just resilience in the governance of small insular socio-ecological systems KU Leuven
This study analyzes past and current socio-ecological transformations in SIDS. Aruba will be compared to 3 other Caribbean SIDs. Through in-depth interviews and document analysis, this research will address the changing organization of collective decision-making regarding land/natural resources use, conservation areas of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The project aims to a) detect socially innovative and just examples; b) understand ...