Implementing the Ecosystem Approach

1. Implementing the Ecosystem Approach The Ecosystem Approach – Separating conceptual myth from practical reality Edward Maltby Institute for Sustainable Water, Integrated Management & Ecosystem Research (SWIMMER) University of Liverpool ESRC/NERC Transdiciplinary Seminar Series New approaches to managing ecosystem services in the marine environment October 2007

2. Recent approaches in ecosystem management • Sectoral policies, pricing and subsidies • Top down processes with limited stakeholder engagement • Focus on species and protected areas vs others • Environmental functions or ecosystem services ignored

3. Elements of an emerging new paradigm • Different ecosystems with different functional and biodiversity characteristics can occupy the same global space. • Ecosystems are dynamic and respond to environmental as well as human-induced changes • Human societies have been a key determinant of change since prehistoric times. • “Recombinant Biology” is likely to be increasingly important • Increasing recognition of links between ecosystem functioning, natural resource use and economic and conservation strategies.

4. The ecosystem approach according to the CBD • A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. • Based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organisation, which encompass the essential structure, process, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. • Recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems.

5. Economic Prosperity Social well-being Equitable sharing Integrated approaches Conserving biodiversity Sustainable use Environmental sustainability Structure and outcomes of the Ecosystem Approach

6. Watershed management Coastal-zone management Bioregional Planning Sustainable use Wise Use Ecosystem-based approach Ecosystem Management Eco-region-based Conservation Terminology can be confusing Ecosystem Approach

7. A confusion of terms: • The (An) Ecosystem Approach • The (An) Ecosystems Approach • Ecosystem-based approach • Ecosystem services approach

8. Why take an ecosystem approach? Classical natural resource approaches as sole tool may: • Lack recognition of importance of ecosystem functioning. • Ignore site interlinkage. • Ignore interlinkage of nature & society • Lack of stakeholder participation in management of ecosystem • Inappropriate division of costs & benefits • Sectoral interests not integrated

9. EA demands paradigm shift FROM TO Preservation Adaptive Management Sectoral Integrated Scientific Multifaceted Knowledge Environmental People and Environment Top Down Both Directions National Appropriate Level Conservationist All Stakeholders Nature Social and Environmental well-being

10. 2. Decentralised management 12. Involve all relevant sectors 1. Societal choice 11. Consider all forms ofinformation 4. Economic context Economic Prosperity Social well-being 9. Change is inevitable Equitable sharing 10. Integration of and balance between conservation and use 7. Appropriate temporal and spatial scales Integrated approaches Conserving biodiversity Sustainable use 8. Management objectives set for the long term 6. Keep within the limits of functioning Environmental sustainability 3. Adjacent ecosystems 5. Conserve ecosystem structure and functioning Structure and outcomes of the Ecosystem Approach

11. 2. Enhance benefit sharing Economic Prosperity Social well-being Equitable sharing 5. Ensure intersectoral cooperation 3. Use adaptive management practices Integrated approaches Conserving biodiversity Sustainable use 4. Management at appropriate scaleand decentralisation Environmental sustainability 1. Focus on functional relationships and processes withinecosystems

12. EA WFD Societal choice, consider all information Public consultation Economic context Economic analysis Structure and functioning Ecological quality Appropriate scale effects on other ecosystems River basin Change inevitable long-term Review planning Involve all relevant sectors Best practice by sector, issue and joined-up action Manage within functional limits Derogations Management at lowest appropriate level Appropriate administrative arrangements Some comparisons

13. Some Results to date • Misconceptions still exist • Case studies rarely recognised relevance of all principles • Significance of structural/institutional issues • Benefit sharing and incentives extremely important • Wide-ranging scale of implementation • Relationship to other conservation strategies needs clarification • Guidance required on mainstreaming the EA • Considerable capacity building needs • Strong regional/case study variations

14. Headlines from DEFRA consultation • Hard-edged serious management approach • Conceptual and practical basis for implementing biodiversity and sustainable development agendas • Build on existing approaches rather than totally new start

15. Some requirements:Organisational change • Culture of co-operation between and within organisations • Inter-organisational liaison mechanisms • Establish multi stakeholder collaboration mechanisms • Delegation to lowest appropriate level within national framework • Scale of delivery takes into account natural systems operation

16. What are the key ideas? • Highly flexible organisational methodology • Adaptable to a wide range of situations and challenges • ‘Problemshed’ oriented – ensures entire sphere of influence of management included • Links evidence-based science with societal priorities • Maximises ownership of issues

17. What are the key challenges? • Mainstreaming within sectoral government organisation • Adequacy of science base • Stakeholder engagement • Limited show case of examples • CBD sourcebook • pathfinder workshops At best most cited case studies are only partial illustrations of the EA

18. How do we encourage implementation? • Increasing understanding • Promote participation in society • Demonstrating practical benefits of the EA • Optimising ecosystem services/restoration priorities • Reduction in biodiversity loss • Reduction in contribution to global warming • Integrated strategies and actions for marine and terrestrial environments

19. How is this achieved? • Better briefings of decision-makers • Transdisciplinary working • Stronger links between research and operational organisations • More effective partnerships between knowledge-holders and end-users • Good case studies • New pilot projects • Tool-kits Creating coherence

20. “Achieving sustainability, equity and democratic governance in water management is one of the main challenges for the international community in the 21st century” Declaration for a New Water Culture, 18th Feb. 2005