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on particular process, and by studying the same processes under different settings
or contexts, a better understanding of the process is achieved. Within a system
approach, the strategy shifts to a focus on a particular system and examines differ-
ent processes within it, developing an understanding of the whole. Under this sys-
tem approach, there is a need for multi and interdisciplinary efforts in which several
disciplines interact to understand the complexity of socioecosystems. In the same
way as “problem oriented” science does not kill “curiosity driven” science, interdis-
ciplinary approaches do not replace disciplinary efforts. The difference between
multi-
disciplinary research and
inter-
disciplinary research is the level of interac-
tions among the disciplinary efforts. In the latter, the interdisciplinary group identi-
fi es and defi nes the problems, and the level of interaction among disciplines
demands common conceptual frameworks and stronger communication skills
(García
1994
).
14.3.4
Scale of Focus
A major shift in science as a result of incorporating the system approach, is the
recognition of needing multiple level of analysis to cope with the hierarchical
nature of systems. The study of socioecosystems is not the exception. The need for
long-term research has been identifi ed since the last century, and there are very
good examples of studies conducted for decades long before formal research pro-
grams were established to foster long-term endeavors (Swank and Crossley
1988
).
As we mentioned, and we will further discuss below, the establishment of the
United States LTER network in the 1980s (Gosz et al.
2010
) and the International
LTER network 10 years later (Gosz
1996
), have been important advances to this
change of research scope in science (Parr
2013
). Socioecosystems research not only
requires a shift in time scale, but also implies a shift in spatial scales. Socio-
ecological processes take place in multiple spatial scales and the shift from strictly
local research to a more regional and global scope is crucial for an earth steward-
ship undertaking. Cultural diversity in a particular region is aligned with the local
biodiversity (Toledo
1995
,
2001
). Therefore, the great ecosystem diversity found
on earth has produced a large diversity of socioecosystems, as well as an enormous
variation in the ways humans see, interact with, and transform their natural environ-
ment. It is very important to recognize and consider all these variations in human
expressions to truly understand their impact in the earth socioecosystem. However,
it is essential to recognize the deep contrast in the amount of economic resources
allocated to science between north and south. In order to overcome these gaps in
multiescalar research and geographical representativeness, research has become
more international. However a stronger effort should be placed on moving from
dominant north-north collaboration, to more north-south and south-south
collaborations.
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