A conceptual framework that combines transition studies with socio-ecological system perspectives: understanding key change processes for biodiversity preservation in agricultural landscapes

The field of transition research has delivered important insights in societal change processes needed to shift to sustainable systems in various societal domains, such as energy and transport. However, the transition needed to preserve natural ecosystems has hardly received any attention yet. Natural ecosystems have important functions and deliver multiple services that are vital to society, such as provision of food, freshwater, maintenance of soil fertility and resilience against climate change (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). However, since ecosystems are degrading faster in the last 50 years than in any other period in human history, these benefits are threatened, and the earth’s capacity as a support system for human life is reducing (CESR, 2008; Rockström et al., 2009; Steffen et al., 2015). A large share of this decline is related to agricultural systems (Scherr and McNeely, 2008). In this paper we focus on the transition of agricultural systems with special attention to what is needed to conserve biodiversity and vital ecosystem services.

Since the ecological system is a crucial part of the analysis, current transition models such as the MLP or the TIS framework are not fully suitable since these do not take ecological factors into account. In a neighbouring academic community different approaches are developed that specifically focus on the link between societal change processes and ecological systems: socio-ecological system studies (Agrawal, 2001; Ostrom, 2009). The strength of these frameworks lies in the integration of ecological and social systems, and the identification of variables that increase the likelihood of sustainable outcomes in such systems. However, the rigor of transition models to understand change processes is missing.

In this paper, transition models are combined with socio-ecological system approaches, whereby a new framework identifies key change processes that are needed to stimulate change towards sustainable socio-ecological systems. Moreover, different indicators are proposed to study these change processes. The processes are mainly derived from the SES literature, whereas the approach for studying and understanding change processes is obtained from transition study perspectives, and specifically builds on the technological innovation system approach (Hekkert et al. 2007; Wieczorek and Hekkert 2007.


This framework is thereafter empirically tested by applying it to a case-study related to the Dutch dairy sector. 20 interviews were conducted with key actors that currently work towards the maintenance and preservation of biodiversity in dairy farming landscapes, amongst which landowners, supply chain actors, policy makers, financial institutes, and intermediary parties such as NGOs. Key processes were found to be, amongst others, engaging and connecting different types of actors, which was often organized by intermediary parties. Self-organization and cooperation processes were mentioned as crucial to ensure sustainable outcomes, and creating a shared vision and building trust were important activities to stimulate these processes. Furthermore, establishing rules and incentives for biodiversity preservation was found to be key to stimulate actors to shift towards sustainable landscape management. This was approached in different ways, for example by strengthening market links and developing new ‘biodiversity-friendly’ products that could be sold for a higher price in the market.

The contribution of this paper is therefore twofold. First, it aims to make a theoretical contribution by developing a new framework to understand processes of change within socio-ecological systems, specifically in agricultural systems, where the strengths of transitions models and socio-ecological system frameworks are combined. Secondly, it aims to shed light on the conditions that enhance or hamper preservation of biodiversity in Dutch dairy farming landscapes.