Exploring the Theoretical Interface of Climate Change and Resource Dependency: Application to the Vulnerability of Boreal Forest Regions |
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Authors: | Debra Straussfogel |
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Institution: | (1) Geography Program, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada |
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Abstract: | This paper addresses the combined effects of two sources of disturbance on the boreal forest – climate change and the economic
relations of industrial forestry. It describes a theoretical blueprint constructed of concepts from the theory of dissipative
structures (derived from the discipline of physical chemistry) and world-systems theory (derived from the discipline of sociology)
into a proposed integrated theory pivoting on the concept of social vulnerability. The goal is to examine the key concepts
of this theory – vulnerability, resilience and adaptive capacity – as elements of the complex systems perspective provided
by dissipative structure principles. The focus on social vulnerability provides the means to establish the role of external
economic linkages relevant to industrial forestry – the core/periphery relations of the world-system – as they influence the
social vulnerability of the boreal forest SESs. These systems are posited as embedded peripheries, following world-system
criteria, and as the focal scale of analysis within a larger hierarchically organized dissipative structure. The goal is to
suggest and stimulate ideas for further discussion and exploration, motivated by the premise that any successful climate change
mitigation efforts depend on having sound theoretical foundations on which to stand. |
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Keywords: | dissipative structures boreal forest embedded peripheries social vulnerability world-systems theory |
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