implementing the ecosystem approach the ecosystem approach – separating conceptual myth from...
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Implementing the Ecosystem Implementing the Ecosystem ApproachApproach
The Ecosystem Approach – Separating The Ecosystem Approach – Separating conceptual myth from practical realityconceptual myth from practical reality
Edward MaltbyEdward MaltbyInstitute for Sustainable Water, Integrated Management Institute for Sustainable Water, Integrated Management
& Ecosystem Research& Ecosystem Research(SWIMMER)(SWIMMER)
University of LiverpoolUniversity of Liverpool
ESRC/NERC Transdiciplinary Seminar SeriesESRC/NERC Transdiciplinary Seminar SeriesNew approaches to managing ecosystem services in the marine New approaches to managing ecosystem services in the marine
environmentenvironment
October 2007October 2007
Recent approaches in ecosystem Recent approaches in ecosystem managementmanagement
Sectoral policies, pricing and subsidiesSectoral policies, pricing and subsidies
Top down processes with limited stakeholder Top down processes with limited stakeholder engagementengagement
Focus on species and protected areas Focus on species and protected areas vs othersvs others
Environmental functions or ecosystem services Environmental functions or ecosystem services ignoredignored
Elements of an emerging Elements of an emerging new paradigmnew paradigm
• Different ecosystems with different functional and Different ecosystems with different functional and biodiversity characteristics can occupy the same global biodiversity characteristics can occupy the same global space.space.
• Ecosystems are dynamic and respond to environmental as Ecosystems are dynamic and respond to environmental as well as human-induced changeswell as human-induced changes
• Human societies have been a key determinant of change Human societies have been a key determinant of change since prehistoric times.since prehistoric times.
• ““Recombinant Biology” is likely to be increasingly importantRecombinant Biology” is likely to be increasingly important
• Increasing recognition of links between ecosystem Increasing recognition of links between ecosystem functioning, natural resource use and economic and functioning, natural resource use and economic and conservation strategiesconservation strategies..
The ecosystem approach The ecosystem approach according to the CBDaccording to the CBD
• A strategy for the integrated management of land, water A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.sustainable use in an equitable way.
• Based on the application of appropriate scientific Based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organisation, methodologies focused on levels of biological organisation, which encompass the essential structure, process, which encompass the essential structure, process, functions and interactions among organisms and their functions and interactions among organisms and their environment.environment.
• Recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are Recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems.an integral component of many ecosystems.
Structure and outcomes of the Structure and outcomes of the Ecosystem ApproachEcosystem Approach
Economic Prosperity
Social well-being
Environmental sustainability
Equitable sharing
Integrated approaches
Sustainable useConserving biodiversity
Terminology can be confusingTerminology can be confusing
Ecosystem Approach
Watershed management
Bioregional Planning
Wise Use
Ecosystem Management
Eco-region-based Conservation
Ecosystem-based approach
Sustainable use
Coastal-zone management
A confusion of terms:A confusion of terms:
• The (An) Ecosystem ApproachThe (An) Ecosystem Approach
• The (An) Ecosystems ApproachThe (An) Ecosystems Approach
• Ecosystem-based approachEcosystem-based approach
• Ecosystem services approachEcosystem services approach
Why take an ecosystem Why take an ecosystem approach?approach?
• Lack recognition of importance of ecosystemLack recognition of importance of ecosystemfunctioning.functioning.
• Ignore site interlinkage.Ignore site interlinkage.
• Ignore interlinkage of nature & societyIgnore interlinkage of nature & society
• Lack of stakeholder participation in Lack of stakeholder participation in management of ecosystemmanagement of ecosystem
• Inappropriate division of costs & benefitsInappropriate division of costs & benefits
• Sectoral interests not integratedSectoral interests not integrated
Classical natural resource approaches as sole tool may:
EA demands paradigm shiftEA demands paradigm shift
FROMFROM TOTO
PreservationPreservation Adaptive ManagementAdaptive Management
SectoralSectoral IntegratedIntegrated
ScientificScientific Multifaceted KnowledgeMultifaceted Knowledge
EnvironmentalEnvironmental People and EnvironmentPeople and Environment
Top DownTop Down Both DirectionsBoth Directions
NationalNational Appropriate LevelAppropriate Level
ConservationistConservationist All StakeholdersAll Stakeholders
NatureNature Social and Environmental well-beingSocial and Environmental well-being
Structure and outcomes of the Ecosystem ApproachStructure and outcomes of the Ecosystem Approach
Economic Prosperity
Social well-being
Environmental sustainability
Equitable sharing
Integrated approaches
Sustainable useConserving biodiversity
10. Integration of and balance between conservation and use
4. Economic context
6. Keep within the limits of functioning
1. Societal choice
11. Consider all forms of information
12. Involve all relevant sectors
2. Decentralised management
5. Conserve ecosystem structure and functioning
3. Adjacent ecosystems
7. Appropriate temporal and spatial scales
9. Change is inevitable
8. Management objectives set for the long term
Economic Prosperity
Social well-being
Environmental sustainability
Equitable sharing
Integrated approaches
Sustainable useConserving biodiversity
2. Enhance benefit sharing
1. Focus on functional relationships and processes within ecosystems
3. Use adaptive management practices
4. Management at appropriate scale and decentralisation
5. Ensure intersectoral cooperation
Some comparisonsSome comparisons
Appropriate administrative arrangementsAppropriate administrative arrangementsManagement at lowest appropriate levelManagement at lowest appropriate level
DerogationsDerogationsManage within functional limitsManage within functional limits
Best practice by sector, issue and joined-Best practice by sector, issue and joined-up actionup action
Involve all relevant sectorsInvolve all relevant sectors
Review planningReview planningChange inevitable long-termChange inevitable long-term
River basinRiver basinAppropriate scale effects on other Appropriate scale effects on other ecosystemsecosystems
Ecological qualityEcological qualityStructure and functioningStructure and functioning
Economic analysisEconomic analysisEconomic contextEconomic context
Public consultationPublic consultationSocietal choice, consider all informationSocietal choice, consider all information
WFDWFDEAEA
Some Results to dateSome Results to date
• Misconceptions still existMisconceptions still exist
• Case studies rarely recognised relevance of all principlesCase studies rarely recognised relevance of all principles
• Significance of structural/institutional issuesSignificance of structural/institutional issues
• Benefit sharing and incentives extremely importantBenefit sharing and incentives extremely important
• Wide-ranging scale of implementationWide-ranging scale of implementation
• Relationship to other conservation strategies needs clarificationRelationship to other conservation strategies needs clarification
• Guidance required on mainstreaming the EAGuidance required on mainstreaming the EA
• Considerable capacity building needsConsiderable capacity building needs
• Strong regional/case study variationsStrong regional/case study variations
Headlines from DEFRA Headlines from DEFRA consultationconsultation
• Hard-edged serious management Hard-edged serious management approachapproach
• Conceptual and practical basis for Conceptual and practical basis for implementing biodiversity and sustainable implementing biodiversity and sustainable development agendasdevelopment agendas
• Build on existing approaches rather than Build on existing approaches rather than totally new starttotally new start
Some requirements:Some requirements:Organisational changeOrganisational change
• Culture of co-operation between and within Culture of co-operation between and within organisationsorganisations
• Inter-organisational liaison mechanismsInter-organisational liaison mechanisms
• Establish multi stakeholder collaboration Establish multi stakeholder collaboration mechanismsmechanisms
• Delegation to lowest appropriate level within Delegation to lowest appropriate level within national frameworknational framework
• Scale of delivery takes into account natural Scale of delivery takes into account natural systems operationsystems operation
What are the key ideas?What are the key ideas?
• Highly flexible organisational methodologyHighly flexible organisational methodology
• Adaptable to a wide range of situations and challengesAdaptable to a wide range of situations and challenges
• ‘‘Problemshed’ oriented – ensures entire sphere of influence Problemshed’ oriented – ensures entire sphere of influence of management includedof management included
• Links evidence-based science with societal prioritiesLinks evidence-based science with societal priorities
• Maximises ownership of issuesMaximises ownership of issues
What are the key challenges?What are the key challenges?
• Mainstreaming within sectoral government Mainstreaming within sectoral government organisationorganisation
• Adequacy of science baseAdequacy of science base• Stakeholder engagementStakeholder engagement• Limited show case of examplesLimited show case of examples
CBD sourcebookCBD sourcebook pathfinder workshopspathfinder workshops
At best most cited case studies are only partial At best most cited case studies are only partial illustrations of the EAillustrations of the EA
How do we encourage How do we encourage implementation?implementation?
• Increasing understandingIncreasing understanding• Promote participation in societyPromote participation in society• Demonstrating practical benefits of Demonstrating practical benefits of
the EAthe EA•Optimising ecosystem services/restoration Optimising ecosystem services/restoration
prioritiespriorities•Reduction in biodiversity lossReduction in biodiversity loss•Reduction in contribution to global warmingReduction in contribution to global warming• Integrated strategies and actions for marine Integrated strategies and actions for marine
and terrestrial environmentsand terrestrial environments
How is this achieved?How is this achieved?
• Better briefings of decision-makersBetter briefings of decision-makers• Transdisciplinary workingTransdisciplinary working• Stronger links between research and Stronger links between research and
operational organisationsoperational organisations• More effective partnerships between More effective partnerships between
knowledge-holders and end-usersknowledge-holders and end-users• Good case studiesGood case studies• New pilot projectsNew pilot projects• Tool-kitsTool-kits
Creating coherenceCreating coherence
““Achieving Achieving sustainability, sustainability, equity and democratic equity and democratic governance in water governance in water managementmanagement is one of the is one of the main challenges for the main challenges for the international community in the international community in the 2121stst century” century”
Declaration for a New Water Culture, 18Declaration for a New Water Culture, 18thth Feb. 2005 Feb. 2005