The Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) aims to integrate research on the stewardship of social–ecological systems, the services they generate, and the relationships among ecosystems, human wellbeing, livelihoods, inequality, and poverty.
The vision of PECS is a world where human actions have transformed to achieve sustainable stewardship of social-ecological systems. The goal of PECS is to generate the scientific and policy-relevant knowledge of social-ecological dynamics needed to enable such a shift, including mitigation of poverty.
PECS is a coordinating body for diverse research projects. Research under PECS employs a range of transdisciplinary approaches and methods, with comparative, place-based research that is international in scope at its core.
PECS was launched by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and became a core project of Future Earth in December 2014.
Key Contacts
Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs
Co-Chair, PECS Scientific Steering Committee
Elena Bennett
Co-Chair, PECS Scientific Steering Committee
Other Resources
Improving participatory resilience assessment New paper presents novel cross-fertilization of two commonly used approaches.
Key features for more successful place-based sustainability research on social-ecological systems. PECS scientists assess what contributes to or hinders the success of place-based social-ecological sustainability research and outline practical strategies for running social-ecological research projects.
Key features for more successful place-based sustainability research on social-ecological systems: a Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) perspective. PECS scientists assess what contributes to or hinders the success of place-based social-ecological sustainability research and outline practical strategies for running social-ecological research projects.