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Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation
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Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 7737

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Nienaber

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Peace and Security, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Interests: business ethics; (dis)trust in organizations and communities; stakeholder management for social transformation; ethical leadership and sustainable human resource management; sustainable governance for ethical decision-making
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Michael Elliott

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, Hull, UK
Interests: estuaries; estuarine ecology; marine ecology; human impacts; policy
Dr. Julie A. Ewald

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Fordingbridge, UK
Interests: agroecology; agricultural policy; sustainable use; human altered ecosystems; bottom-up conservation; conservation co-design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the need for transformative change in biodiversity conservation, placing a spotlight on the behavioural shifts needed to address the challenges to nature posed by human activity. Emphasizing the urgency of reshaping human behaviour and attitudes towards nature, it draws from influential works, many of which have contributed to the IPBES Global Transformative Change Assessment (expected to be reported in 2024), which stresses the critical need for radical transformations. This Special Issue underscores the exploration of human motivations, attitudes, and values driving conservation behaviours. Proposals representing each of the three values of Nature (relational, instrumental, and intrinsic values) within the Nature Futures Framework [1] will be examined in the context of their implications for altering human–nature relationships and fostering sustainable practices. Furthermore, emerging conservation paradigms will be explored, emphasizing the integration of social sciences to understand the complexities of human–nature interactions. This Special Issue advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to fill gaps in how we understand the behavioural drivers of conservation action and how we can support those that are effective. This Special Issue will appeal to stakeholders who are keen to unravel the intricacies of human behaviour and advance transformative strategies for biodiversity conservation in the Anthropocene era.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

[1] Pereira, L., Davies, K., Belder, E. d., Ferrier, S., Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, S., Kim, H., … & Lundquist, C. J. (2020). Developing multiscale and integrative nature–people scenarios using the nature futures framework. People and Nature, 2(4), 1172-1195. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10146

Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Nienaber
Prof. Dr. Michael Elliott
Dr. Julie A. Ewald
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • transformative change
  • biodiversity conservation
  • governance structures
  • human behaviour
  • environmental sustainability
  • paradigm shift
  • interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Anthropocene era
  • nature futures framework

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 751 KB  
Article
Conservation and Human Use Index: A Practical, Multi-Parameter Assessment Tool to Identify and Track Conflicts and Synergies in Conservation Area Management
by Phoebe Vayanou, Panagiotis Georgiou and Constantinos Kounnamas
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094197 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 161
Abstract
Natural resource management and area-based conservation are increasingly recognised as outcomes of complex interactions between ecological conditions and social systems, shaped by local knowledge, governance arrangements, and environmental pressures. The Social-Ecological Systems Framework (SESF), developed by Elinor Ostrom, provides a comprehensive framework to [...] Read more.
Natural resource management and area-based conservation are increasingly recognised as outcomes of complex interactions between ecological conditions and social systems, shaped by local knowledge, governance arrangements, and environmental pressures. The Social-Ecological Systems Framework (SESF), developed by Elinor Ostrom, provides a comprehensive framework to analyse these dynamics; however, most applications remain context-specific, limiting cross-site comparability. This study introduces the Conservation and Human Use Index (CHUI), a standardised diagnostic tool that operationalizes SESF principles for comparative analysis across conservation-important areas. CHUI comprises 134 qualitative questions structured across four equally weighted dimensions: (i) Natural Values and Ecosystem Services, (ii) Threats and Pressures, (iii) Governance, and (iv) Social Perceptions. Using an ordinal 0–3 scale with a “Not Applicable” option, the Index enables consistent, flexible application through both desk-based assessments and participatory processes. It generates aggregate and disaggregated outputs that help identify pressure hotspots, governance gaps, and conservation-use synergies. CHUI’s primary innovation lies in translating SESF into a pragmatic and participatory instrument that supports real-world decision-making. Rather than replacing detailed ecological or socio-economic assessments, it functions as a collaborative diagnostic compass to guide targeted investigation and intervention. Its participatory design fosters shared learning, transparency, and co-production of context-specific management pathways, supporting adaptive stewardship and community empowerment. Developed within the Horizon Europe PRO-COAST project and tested across ten European coastal case studies, CHUI advances both the operationalization of SESF and the practice of inclusive, adaptive conservation management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)

Other

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17 pages, 561 KB  
Perspective
Towards a Butterfly Economy: Reimagining Economics for Healthy Human–Nature Relationships
by Joeri Sol
Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18041995 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 555
Abstract
It is widely accepted that preserving biodiversity requires transformative change and, perhaps foremost, demands a paradigm shift in economic scholarship. The prevailing neoclassical growth-based status quo is too often detached from nature and, as a result, ill-equipped to offer insights on how to [...] Read more.
It is widely accepted that preserving biodiversity requires transformative change and, perhaps foremost, demands a paradigm shift in economic scholarship. The prevailing neoclassical growth-based status quo is too often detached from nature and, as a result, ill-equipped to offer insights on how to halt biodiversity loss. This perspective paper builds on the famous cowboy–spaceman economy distinction by presenting an analogy from the natural world. Proposals from post-growth schools of economic thought on how to induce metamorphosis of the growth-based caterpillar economy are described. Thereafter, an exploration is undertaken of a butterfly economy based on three propositions: embed economics in ecosystems, in systems thinking, and in human–nature relationships. Herein, examples are provided of nature-literate economics, policy implications are discussed, and an actionable research agenda is outlined. The perspective closes by drawing on discussions from conservation sciences to inspire the design of an economic framework conducive to healthy human–nature relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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18 pages, 714 KB  
Systematic Review
Transformative Change in Coastal Biodiversity Conservation: A Systematic Literature Review of Governance, Social–Ecological, and Cultural Pathways
by Ann-Marie Nienaber and Durukan Imrie-Kuzu
Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11186; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411186 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 932
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse and economically valuable environments on Earth, yet they face escalating threats from climate change, development, and resource exploitation. Traditional conservation approaches have proven insufficient to address the systemic drivers of biodiversity loss, calling for transformative change [...] Read more.
Coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse and economically valuable environments on Earth, yet they face escalating threats from climate change, development, and resource exploitation. Traditional conservation approaches have proven insufficient to address the systemic drivers of biodiversity loss, calling for transformative change that fundamentally reconfigures social–ecological systems. This semi-structured systematic literature review synthesizes current knowledge on transformative change in coastal biodiversity conservation, guided by the Social–Ecological Systems Framework (SESF) and expanded to include behavioral transformation as a central dimension. Behavioral transformation is defined as the sustained embedding of new attitudes, norms, and practices within governance, institutional, and community settings. Through a comprehensive review of academic databases (SCOPUS, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts) and gray literature, 134 studies published between 2010 and 2024 were analyzed. The synthesis identifies four interdependent pathways of transformation: (1) governance innovation and power redistribution, (2) behavioral change and stakeholder engagement, (3) socio-ecological restructuring, and (4) normative and cultural shifts in human–nature relations. Successful initiatives integrate trust-building, social justice, and participatory decision-making, linking behavioral change with institutional redesign and adaptive management. However, critical gaps remain in understanding long-term durability, equity outcomes, and scalability across governance levels. The review proposes three research priorities: (1) embedding behavioral science in conservation design, (2) employing longitudinal and cross-scale analyses, and (3) advancing adaptive, learning-based governance to enhance socio-ecological resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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35 pages, 1200 KB  
Systematic Review
The Social Side of Biodiversity Loss: A Review of Individual, Collective, and Structural Drivers in Coastal Regions
by Alexander Yendell, Yvonne Jaeckel, Giulia Bär and Helene Lerch
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6547; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146547 - 17 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3698
Abstract
This literature review investigates how social, cultural, political, and psychological factors contribute to biodiversity loss in coastal ecosystems. While biodiversity decline is often analyzed from ecological or economic perspectives, this review focuses on the societal dimensions that shape environmental attitudes and behaviors. Using [...] Read more.
This literature review investigates how social, cultural, political, and psychological factors contribute to biodiversity loss in coastal ecosystems. While biodiversity decline is often analyzed from ecological or economic perspectives, this review focuses on the societal dimensions that shape environmental attitudes and behaviors. Using a semi-structured approach, we searched Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies that address social influences on biodiversity, particularly in coastal contexts. Boolean logic and targeted keywords guided the selection, complemented by snowballing techniques to identify additional relevant literature. From over 600 initial results, 57 studies were included in the final synthesis. The literature spans diverse disciplines, including sociology, political science, environmental psychology, and cultural studies. Although many studies do not explicitly focus on coastal areas, they provide transferable insights into conservation-related behavior and structural drivers of biodiversity pressure. The review identifies thematic clusters and theoretical gaps, particularly regarding underexplored social variables and insufficient attention to multi-level dynamics. Our findings underline the need for stronger integration of societal dimensions into biodiversity research and policy, especially in coastal regions facing complex socio-ecological challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Paradigms: Reimagining Human-Nature Relationships for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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