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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:46
Data Acquisition Protocol for Determining Embedded Sensitivity Functions
Published on: April 20, 2016
A framework for vulnerability analysis in sustainability science
B L Turner1, Roger E Kasperson, Pamela A Matson
1Graduate School of Geography and George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01602, USA. bturner@clarku.edu
Summary
Global environmental change necessitates understanding vulnerability beyond mere exposure. Resilience and sensitivity are key factors in assessing risks to coupled human-environment systems for sustainability science.
Area of Science:
- Sustainability Science
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
Background:
- Global environmental change impacts biosphere structure and function.
- Assessing vulnerability requires understanding who and what is affected by environmental changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a framework for assessing vulnerability in coupled human-environment systems.
- To expand traditional vulnerability assessments to include system sensitivity and resilience.
Main Methods:
- Review of current vulnerability assessment methodologies.
- Development of a conceptual framework for coupled human-environment systems.
Main Results:
- Vulnerability is determined by exposure, sensitivity, and resilience.
- Existing vulnerability assessments need revision to incorporate coupled systems.
Conclusions:
- A new framework is proposed for assessing vulnerability in integrated human-environment systems.
- This framework addresses system linkages and their impact on vulnerability.
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