Multi-scale sustainability evaluation : a framework for derivation and quantification of indicators for natural resource management systems.

The use of indicators for sustainability evaluation has been recognized as an important step towards operationalization of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. In the context of Natural Resource Management Systems (NRMS), one of the main methodological challenges, which is the objective of this thesis, is the development of a methodological framework for sustainability evaluation via indicators at different scales of analysis (e.g. farm household and region).

In this thesis, the methodological development and application of a framework for multi-scale sustainability evaluation of NRMS are presented. The framework offers a structured and coherent set of guidelines, developed from an interdisciplinary and systemic perspective, to select, quantify, assess and integrate case-specific indicators derived from short and long term environmental, economic and social concerns (objectives, aspirations) of stakeholders...