Hierarchy Theory in Sociology, Ecology, and Resource Management: A Conceptual Model for Natural Resource or Environmental Sociology and Socioecological Systems

This article argues that hierarchy theory can be used as a conceptual bridge to facilitate analysis of socioecological systems (SES). An SES model is proposed based on a synthesis of structuration theory in sociology and hierarchy theory in ecology. The model is process rather than component based by relating institutional processes with ecological processes at multiple scales. The model also offers a means to conceptually integrate the divide between micro and macro approaches in the fields of environmental and natural resource (E&NR) sociology.