The management of natural resources—from forests to fisheries to freshwater—is becoming increasingly complex and requires new tools and processes for engaging with individuals, communities, and decision-makers. Policy makers and practitioners have begun using serious games (SGs) (those used for purposes other than entertainment) to overcome some of the complex challenges of governing resources in social-ecological systems. This paper uses a systematic literature review methodology to assess role-playing SGs for natural resource management. Fifty-two articles from the role-playing game (RPG) subset of SGs are identified, synthesised and analysed using a multi-criteria evaluation framework. First, we explore three theoretical and conceptual elements of games: principles of RPGs, functions of games, and (practical) game characteristics. We evaluate game elements, including game design, adherence to reality and the degree to which games integrate elements of participatory—and action research. These dimensions of RPGs are then analysed and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the value and application of RPGs to address complex problems with interacting environmental, social, cultural and economic challenges, and the extent to which they can inform adaptive governance solutions. Results show that RPGs can be a valuable tool at different levels; however, we also identify important gaps in the current state of knowledge, in particular, related to bridging community—and higher-level decision-making scales through RPGs.

We are currently facing the triple interlocked threats of climate change, unsustainable land use change, and the sixth mass species extinction. This chapter firstly outlines these interlinked threats making the case for urgent action. It then documents the efforts to assign economic and non-economic value to our biodiversity (Ecosystem Services) through environmental and ecological economics, highlighting the fundamental philosophical principles underlining both approaches. This sets up a discussion on the development and potential of Ecosystem Services (ESS) as a discipline in its own right, the challenges of application, and the awareness of, and priority assigned to, ESS by policymakers and the private sector. The chapter closes by outlining specific methodological challenges and recommendations for substantially increasing the level of attention and action needed to protect and enhance our invaluable ecosystems in our age of potential ecological collapse.