ABSTRACT
Coupled human/environment systems are undergoing rapid changes and are adapting to changing conditions. This makes the understanding of response mechanisms – and, hence, the state of vulnerability and resilience – one of the most important issues for society, in general, and for science, in particular. Research in the fields of natural hazards, ecology and global environmental change demonstrates that potential losses are determined not by exposure to hazards alone but also reside in the vulnerability and resilience of the society (or system) experiencing such hazards (Burton et al, 1978; Kasperson et al, 1995; Gunderson and Holling, 2002). This recognition has led to questions regarding the understanding of impacts upon and responses by the affected society. During the last decade, an abundant literature has addressed the complex set of processes, factors, causes and agents involved in the analysis of vulnerability and resilience (Dikau and Weichselgartner, 2005; Janssen et al, 2006). Hence, new insights have been gained and researchers have developed different conceptual frameworks for analysis, as well as techniques and tools for assessment (Turner et al, 2003; Birkmann, 2006).
