Resilience thinking for human-wildlife coexistence: Bridging dynamic systems, archetypes, and transformations

Ambio
By: , and 

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Abstract

As human activities and wildlife increasingly overlap in the Anthropocene, conventional conservation paradigms focused on land-sparing are shifting toward strategies that support human–wildlife coexistence. However, achieving sustainable coexistence is often hindered by a limited understanding of the dynamic social–ecological processes that drive integrated human–wildlife systems. This Special Issue explores “resilience thinking” as a scientific framework to address these knowledge gaps. By bridging sustainability and wildlife sciences, we examine how concepts such as adaptive capacity, feedback loops, system archetypes, and tipping points can illuminate the conditions that facilitate stable coexistence or lead to persistent conflict. Through diverse global case studies ranging from carnivore management in Europe to primate interactions in Indonesia, contributions highlight how societal perceptions, governance, and co-adaptation shape system trajectories. Ultimately, we argue that fostering durable coexistence requires moving beyond incremental adaptation toward transformative governance that centers on equity, relationality, and proactive management.

Suggested Citation

Carter, N., Buchholtz, E.K., Glikman, J.A., Nanni, A.S., and Puri, M., 2026, Resilience thinking for human-wildlife coexistence: Bridging dynamic systems, archetypes, and transformations: Ambio, v. 55, p. 1003-1010, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02359-1.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Resilience thinking for human-wildlife coexistence: Bridging dynamic systems, archetypes, and transformations
Series title Ambio
DOI 10.1007/s13280-026-02359-1
Volume 55
Publication Date March 12, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 8 p.
First page 1003
Last page 1010
Additional publication details