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