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Developing Socio-ecological Research in Finland: Challenges and Progress Towards a Thriving LTSER Network

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Long Term Socio-Ecological Research

Part of the book series: Human-Environment Interactions ((HUEN,volume 2))

Abstract

At the time of planning the national LTER network (FinLTSER) in Finland, the approach of linking social and ecological issues in solving environmental problems was already well embedded in science and policy institutions and practices. A broad community of environmental, natural and social scientists had been carrying out problem-oriented research related to environmental issues for many years before the concept of LTSER platforms raised wide interest among Finnish research institutes. In this article, we analyse the research culture leading to this high level of interest and enthusiasm regarding socio-ecological research during the development phase of the FinLTSER network. By using interview and other materials from the process of establishment of the FinLTSER, this chapter analyses the initiation of the network, the very first steps taken by the platforms and the challenges faced during this period.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    1  Finnish Environment Institute, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Helsinki, University of Oulu, University of Joensuu, University of Turku.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland

    Eeva Furman Ph.D.

  2. Finnish Environment Institute, Joensuu, Finland

    Taru Peltola Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Eeva Furman Ph.D.
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  2. Taru Peltola Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eeva Furman Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Klagenfurt, Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies (I, Institute of Social Ecology, Schottenfeldgasse 29/5, Vienna, 1070, Austria

    Simron Jit Singh

  2. University of Klagenfurt, Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies (I, Institute of Social Ecology, Schottenfeldgasse 29/5, Vienna, 1070, Austria

    Helmut Haberl

  3. Yale University, Yale School of Forestry and Environmenta, Center for Industrial Ecology, Edwards Street 380, New Haven, 06511, Connecticut, USA

    Marian Chertow

  4. , Ecosystem Research and Monitoring, Federal Environment Agency, Spittelauer Lände 5, Vienna, 1090, Austria

    Michael Mirtl

  5. University of Klagenfurt, Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies (I, Institute of Social Ecology, Schottenfeldgasse 29/5, Vienna, 1070, Austria

    Martin Schmid

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Furman, E., Peltola, T. (2013). Developing Socio-ecological Research in Finland: Challenges and Progress Towards a Thriving LTSER Network. In: Singh, S., Haberl, H., Chertow, M., Mirtl, M., Schmid, M. (eds) Long Term Socio-Ecological Research. Human-Environment Interactions, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1177-8_18

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