Area of concentration

Socio-Ecological Systems in Multifunctional Landscapes

The Graduate Program in Conservation and Sustainability (PPGCS) is centered around a single area of concentration titled "Socio-Ecological Systems in Multifunctional Landscapes." This area integrates studies based on multi-, trans-, and interdisciplinary approaches aimed at understanding socio-ecological systems spatially explicitly, analyzing their influence on the dynamics and multifunctionality of landscapes. Rooted in the field of Environmental Sciences, with a special focus on scientific, technological, and innovative knowledge development, the program seeks to train graduates capable of contributing to solutions for the major socio-environmental challenges humanity faces today. These challenges include resilience and adaptation to climate change and the development of strategies that enable the feeding of a growing human population while ensuring biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services.

The area of concentration, "Socio-Ecological Systems in Multifunctional Landscapes," is grounded in the theoretical and methodological premise that sustainability is central to any society's socio-economic planning and development. Within this framework, the services provided by natural systems are emphasized. However, it is crucial to recognize the influence of social processes on these systems, making the separation of society and nature increasingly contradictory and irrational. From this understanding, sustainability must be viewed in a multidimensional way, guiding the research strategies of the program's two lines of inquiry ("Conservation Biology" and "Ruralities and Agroecology"). These lines are interrelated and complementary, each with its own theoretical and methodological focus.

The area of concentration, "Socio-Ecological Systems in Multifunctional Landscapes," is dedicated to addressing the challenges of modern societies, creating pathways for the continuous improvement of living conditions across different social groups, as well as the management of institutions that work directly with the environment. The program brings together faculty members with the appropriate profiles for this type of work to conduct interdisciplinary research that spans natural sciences, social sciences, and applied sciences.

The goal of the "Socio-Ecological Systems in Multifunctional Landscapes" area is to impact issues central to contemporary societies by developing nature-based solutions (NBS) to problems. These problems range from global-scale issues, such as climate change and global food systems, to their impacts and effects on Brazilian landscapes, with a particular focus on natural resource conservation, minimizing environmental impacts, public policies, and civil society actions that align conservation with development. This includes the importance of ethno-knowledge and enhancing landscape multifunctionality to ensure not only agricultural production but also the provision of other ecosystem services. The research conducted within this area is expected to contribute to theoretical advancements and methodological innovations with an integrated vision while addressing sustainable development demands in various territories.