The Social-Ecological Systems Framework

The Social-Ecological Systems Framework is a way to understand how human communities and the environment interact as interconnected systems. It considers different layers—such as individual people, organizations, communities, and broader societal and ecological factors—that influence and depend on each other. This approach helps explain how policies, culture, technology, and natural resources shape behaviors and outcomes, emphasizing the importance of managing these complex relationships sustainably for both human well-being and environmental health.