Abstract:

With the expansion and deepening of human activities on ecosystems, adaptive governance has become an emerging governance mode to deal with the characteristics of multi-stability, non-linear, uncertainty, integrity, and complexity of complex systems. Adaptive governance is based on the theories of ecological resilience and self-organization. Its most prominent features are in its development-oriented concept and dynamic adaptability. It also has many realization paths, including core concepts such as multi-center and multi-level governance system, social network, and social learning. Adaptive governance in China arrived late and has not yet formed a theoretical system. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an adaptive governance system in line with China's politics, economy, and culture, by focusing on the nation’s experience. At the same time, adaptive governance research is also expanding to other fields, so we need to be cautious in the process of learning.

Key words: adaptive governance, social-ecological systems, resilience