CLIMATE,
ENVIRONMENT,
AGROECOLOGY
RESEARCH

the term “Anthropocene” refers to the significant impact of human activities on the earth, affecting everything from climate to biodiversity. this controversial concept has spread from the natural sciences to the social sciences, raising political, cultural and ethical issues. Although it sheds light on the pressures that globalisation places on ecosystems, it has nevertheless been criticised for glossing over historical inequalities and power relations. this has led to the emergence of alternative concepts, such as the capitalocene and the plantationocene.

The forest is often imagined as a wooded area, sometimes with or without birds and animals. However, the significance of forests extends beyond the visual experience. this per-ception is greatly influenced by cultural, economic, political, social and scientific factors. this contribution outlines the various meanings that have developed around the concept of forest.

Agroforestry is a practice that long predates its recent con-ceptualization and formal recognition as a scientific disci-pline. it is the practice of combining trees or other ligneous plants with crops and/or livestock on the same plot of land. the goal is to increase agricultural, environmental, and eco-nomic benefits. Agroforestry reflects the way things are done in a given area, as well as the way people, plants, and animals relate to each other.

The concept of habitat encompasses ecological, social, and cultural factors. It varies across different geographical and climatic contexts, particularly in Africa. A vital space for species, habitat is influenced by natural and human factors. More recently, climate change has also become a key influence. Lake Kivu is a prime example of this diversity: a natural space, a communication route, a fishing reserve, and a source of energy, but it is also a high-risk area. The changing uses and perceptions of the lake reveal the tensions between economic exploitation and the needs of local communities.

Loss and damage as a concept, refers to the harm caused by anthropogenic climate change that cannot be prevented through mitigation or adaptation. It also designates an emergent field of climate policy addressing these negative impacts. Loss and damage can result from sudden climate-re-lated disasters as from more slowly unfolding consequences of global warming. The debates over how to address loss and damage remain contentious, reflecting tensions between climate justice approaches and technocratic market-based approaches.

The concept of biocultural diversity examines the interde-pendence of biological and cultural diversity, emphasizing their co-evolution as part of complex socio-ecological sys-tems. Despite its potential for integrating conservation with cultural values, it faces three conceptual confusions: defining the scale of biocultural interactions, recognizing the heteroge-neity of biocultural relationships, and navigating its political uses.

A widely held narrative among policymakers and the media suggests that climate change depletes resources, intensifies competition over land and water, and drives migration, ulti- mately straining resources and sparking conflicts elsewhere. however, the academic debate on whether and how climate change contributes to violent conflict remains unsettled.

The concept of ecological transitions refers to radical shifts in the organisation of human societies aimed at safeguarding non-renewable natural resources and maintaining the environmental conditions necessary for human life on earth. However, the literature does not sufficiently clarify which type of sustainability should be driving these transitions.