Telecoupling as a framework to support a more nuanced understanding of causality in land system science

This article illustrates the potential of the telecoupling framework to improve causal attribution in land system science (LSS). We shed light on the distinct analytical approaches that have characterized telecoupling research to date, how these can contribute to LSS with new insights, and whether such insights can improve causal attribution. By reviewing 45 empirical telecoupling studies, we firstly demonstrate how telecoupling is applied in a broad variety of ways within LSS and across different disciplines and research topics, albeit with qualitative data and assessments being underrepresented. Secondly, we show that telecoupling is clearer in its contribution to causal attribution when applied explicitly in framework integration or empirical application, rather than when it is included more indirectly as a narrative. Finally, we argue that telecoupling can complement existing LSS theory with a flexible and holistic approach to dealing with the uncertainties and complexities related to attributing causality in a globalized world.

本文阐述了远程耦合（telecoupling）框架在提升土地系统科学（land system science, LSS）因果归因研究水平方面的潜力。本文阐明了迄今为止远程耦合研究所具备的差异化分析路径，探讨了这些路径如何为土地系统科学带来全新研究视角，以及此类视角能否有效提升因果归因研究的质量。本文通过梳理45项实证远程耦合研究，首先论证了远程耦合在土地系统科学内部以及跨多学科、多研究主题中的多元应用方式，尽管定性数据与定性评估在相关研究中占比仍显不足。其次，本文研究表明，当远程耦合框架被明确用于框架整合或实证应用时，其对因果归因研究的贡献更为清晰；若仅将其作为叙事性内容间接提及，则难以凸显其应用价值。最后，本文提出，远程耦合框架可通过灵活且整体性的研究路径，为应对全球化背景下因果归因研究所面临的不确定性与复杂性提供补充，进而完善现有土地系统科学理论体系。