A systematic scoping review of social sciences and humanities to contribute to ecosystem-based management

Abstract

Ecosystem-based management is key to achieving sustainable ocean use. To realize this potential, marine ecosystem-based management requires greater involvement of the social sciences and humanities, especially to adopt a more holistic approach and incorporate human–nature interactions. An understanding of the state of marine social science and humanities research and its potential to provide advice for management can inform and further its use. To contribute to a future where marine ecosystem-based management fully utilizes marine social science and humanities research, this analysis systematically scoped and reviewed 176 peer-reviewed social science and humanities papers about marine systems in Atlantic Canada published between 2000 and 2021. The analysis used ecological, economic, social/cultural, and governance objectives defined in an ecosystem-based management framework to structure the analysis. The analysis asked three questions: (i) What is the scope of the social science and humanities literature about aquatic systems in Atlantic Canada? (ii) How does that literature relate to objectives in ecosystem-based management? (iii) To what extent is that literature framed for practical integration of advice into decision making? Results indicate a comprehensive body of research, with potential to inform ecosystem-based management but with limited framing for practical integration. This result highlights missed opportunities for the research to be ready for use in ecosystem-based management. The research offers a framework, method, and strategies to understand and improve the scope and practical use of social science and humanities to inform marine ecosystem-based management in Atlantic Canada and globally.