EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Introduction

Grasslands and rangelands are transitioning to areas dominated by woody plants, including shrubs, sub-shrubs, and trees. This phenomenon, often referred to as the woody plant encroachment (WPE), occurs globally. The theoretical and conceptual frameworks designed to understand the relationship between biophysical and social domains help elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of these transformations and develop strategies for the conservation and restoration of grasslands and open plains. The process of WPE reflects a regime shift attributed to feedback loops linking vegetation with variables such as fire, grazing, and water availability. Numerous studies have explored the WPE concerning direct drivers of this process, such as the role of fire or grazing in either preventing or promoting this phenomenon, elucidating various aspects of this process. Given that the phenomenon of WPE is multifaceted and complex, attention to social issues is also crucial. This article aims to examine the ecological understanding of WPE alongside social domains within the framework of social-ecological systems to provide and develop a theoretical foundation related to this phenomenon.

Materials and methods
The study reviews recent and credible scientific articles to investigate the social-ecological frameworks of woody plant encroachment. One of the fundamental aspects of the social-ecological systems approach is creating an appropriate framework for understanding the problem. The frameworks proposed so far assume that biophysical components are linked to social components through the provision of ecosystem services.

Results and discussion
The press-pulse framework, agent-based modeling, systems modeling, alternative stable state theory, and pyric- herbivory theory have been developed to establish connections between biophysical and social domains. Research based on these frameworks is expected to lead to a deeper understanding of social-ecological systems and create a sufficiently complex information base to address sustainable environmental challenges. The dynamic press-pulse framework considers the press dynamics as widespread and gradual drivers, alongside pulse dynamics as sudden and periodic drivers. The agent-based modeling framework requires two main biophysical components capable of simulating changes in woody plant cover and socio-economic components that can simulate human decision-making processes justifying current conditions. The systems modeling framework conceptualizes grasslands as a social-ecological system by categorizing variables as either exogenous or endogenous. The alternative stable state theory is based on resilience and adaptive cycles, explaining why savanna landscapes can suddenly change in response to external disturbances beyond their historical range. In the pyric- herbivory framework, a key assumption is that the grassland/savanna landscape can be restored using fire and selective herbivory, provided both components are considered as endogenous drivers for the system.

Conclusion
In the adaptation and integration of frameworks, theories, and key ideas, both environmental and economic dimensions are embedded. Until this challenge is overcome, practical frameworks can be complexly intertwined with difficult analyses and consequently have limited use for developing and testing new theories. The language and methods of classical systems modeling facilitate effective collaboration among researchers in both fields, allowing for the sharing of frameworks, ideas, and theories, and providing strong insights into how social-ecological systems of woody plant expansion and dominance operate over long temporal and spatial scales.



EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Introduction

Grasslands and rangelands are transitioning to areas dominated by woody plants, including shrubs, sub-shrubs, and trees. This phenomenon, often referred to as the woody plant encroachment (WPE), occurs globally. The theoretical and conceptual frameworks designed to understand the relationship between biophysical and social domains help elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of these transformations and develop strategies for the conservation and restoration of grasslands and open plains. The process of WPE reflects a regime shift attributed to feedback loops linking vegetation with variables such as fire, grazing, and water availability. Numerous studies have explored the WPE concerning direct drivers of this process, such as the role of fire or grazing in either preventing or promoting this phenomenon, elucidating various aspects of this process. Given that the phenomenon of WPE is multifaceted and complex, attention to social issues is also crucial. This article aims to examine the ecological understanding of WPE alongside social domains within the framework of social-ecological systems to provide and develop a theoretical foundation related to this phenomenon.

Materials and methods
The study reviews recent and credible scientific articles to investigate the social-ecological frameworks of woody plant encroachment. One of the fundamental aspects of the social-ecological systems approach is creating an appropriate framework for understanding the problem. The frameworks proposed so far assume that biophysical components are linked to social components through the provision of ecosystem services.

Results and discussion
The press-pulse framework, agent-based modeling, systems modeling, alternative stable state theory, and pyric- herbivory theory have been developed to establish connections between biophysical and social domains. Research based on these frameworks is expected to lead to a deeper understanding of social-ecological systems and create a sufficiently complex information base to address sustainable environmental challenges. The dynamic press-pulse framework considers the press dynamics as widespread and gradual drivers, alongside pulse dynamics as sudden and periodic drivers. The agent-based modeling framework requires two main biophysical components capable of simulating changes in woody plant cover and socio-economic components that can simulate human decision-making processes justifying current conditions. The systems modeling framework conceptualizes grasslands as a social-ecological system by categorizing variables as either exogenous or endogenous. The alternative stable state theory is based on resilience and adaptive cycles, explaining why savanna landscapes can suddenly change in response to external disturbances beyond their historical range. In the pyric- herbivory framework, a key assumption is that the grassland/savanna landscape can be restored using fire and selective herbivory, provided both components are considered as endogenous drivers for the system.

Conclusion
In the adaptation and integration of frameworks, theories, and key ideas, both environmental and economic dimensions are embedded. Until this challenge is overcome, practical frameworks can be complexly intertwined with difficult analyses and consequently have limited use for developing and testing new theories. The language and methods of classical systems modeling facilitate effective collaboration among researchers in both fields, allowing for the sharing of frameworks, ideas, and theories, and providing strong insights into how social-ecological systems of woody plant expansion and dominance operate over long temporal and spatial scales.