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The Ecosystem Approach: What does it mean ?

The Ecosystem Approach: What does it mean ?. Edward Maltby Royal Holloway, University of London NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER FORUM October 2003. Outline. The concept Why adopt the EA Principles and operational guidelines Relevance to water management and Scottish NSF Experiences

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The Ecosystem Approach: What does it mean ?

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  1. The Ecosystem Approach:What does it mean? Edward Maltby Royal Holloway, University of London NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER FORUMOctober 2003

  2. Outline • The concept • Why adopt the EA • Principles and operational guidelines • Relevance to water management and Scottish NSF • Experiences • Meeting future challenges

  3. Framework for Ecosystem Management Human Desires and Needs Technology and Economics Ecology

  4. Gas regulation Climate regulation Disturbance regulation Water regulation Water supply Erosion control/sediment retention Soil formation Nutrient cycling Waste treatment Pollination Biological Control Refugia Food production Genetic resources Recreation Cultural Ecosystem Services(Constanza et al. 1997)

  5. Values • Services from ecological systems $16-54 trillion per annum ($33 trillion p.a. avg) • Global GNP - $18 trillion (1012) p.a. (Constanza et al. 1997)

  6. Historic approach • Sectoral policies and subsidies • Top down process with limited stakeholder engagement • Focus on species and protected areas • Environmental functions ignored

  7. Natural riverine systems • Dynamic • Productive • Diverse • Connecting • Transforming • Benefits provided include: • Water • Food • Energy • Transport • Biodiversity and recreation • Human exploitation • Sectoral Agriculture + Industry + Urbanisation = Degradation

  8. Function Description Environmental significance Societal significance Flood control Natural flooding allows detention of floodwater Maintains water tables, facilitates exchanges between floodplain and river Reduces flooding downstream Groundwater recharge Infiltration to groundwater Replenishment of aquifers Water supply Maintenance of water quality Removal of pollutants from runoff Maintains good water quality Good water quality, supports other natural resources Habitat for flora and fauna Supports important and/or rare habitats Maintains biodiversity Natural resources e.g. food, timber Sustainable tourism and recreation Hunting, fishing, boating, walking, birdwatching Maintains natural functioning Source of income Support for sustainable agriculture Low intensity agriculture does not affect other functions Maintains natural functioning Food supply, source of income Natural Functions And Benefits

  9. The Ecosystem Approach (EA) • Embraced by Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • Considers ecological, economical and social considerations within a single framework • It recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems. • Emphasis on broad based, integrated and flexible methodologies • Involves a wide range of stakeholders at different scales of application A strategy for integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way

  10. Ecosystem Approach Conservation/Biodiversity Sustainable use Ecosystem Approach Equitable sharing

  11. Ecosystem Approach ensures that all consequences of a management action are considered within the action’s area of influence ecological political economic Management Action social cultural

  12. The Twelve Principles of the Ecosystem Approach • Objectives are a matter of societal choice • Management decentralised to lowest appropriate level • Consider effects of activities on adjacent / other ecosystems • Understand and manage ecosystems in an economic context • Conservation ecosystem structure, functioning and service provision a priority • Manage within limits of functioning

  13. The Twelve Principles of the Ecosystem Approach • Adopt appropriate spatial and temporal scales • Set objectives for ecosystem management for the long term • Management must recognise change is inevitable • Seek appropriate balance between/ integration of conservation and use of biodiversity • Consider all forms of relevant information • Involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines

  14. The Ecosystem ApproachOperational Guidelines(DECISION V/6, CBD, 2000) 1 - Focus on the functional relationships and processes within ecosystems 2 - Enhance benefit-sharing 3 - Use adaptive management practices 4 - Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate for the issue being addressed, with decentralisation to the lowest level, as appropriate 5 - Ensure intersectoral cooperation

  15. An ecosystem approach: 1 - Defines appropriate management Level. 2 - Functioning ecosystems essential & dependent on biological diversity 3 - Understanding ecosystem sustainable use. 4 - People use and move between different ecosystems. 5 - Humans are residents of ecosystems 6 - Use of all sources of knowledge for best management 7 - Appropriate emphasis on goods, services and information such as: • Food • Construction materials • Medicine, biochemical & genetic information for pharmaceuticals • Wild genes for domestic plants & animals • Tourism and recreation • Maintaining the gaseous composition of the atmosphere and regulating climate • Pollinating crops and other important plants

  16. Develop Integrated Water Resources Management And Water Efficiency Plans By 2005 (WSSD) In Europe • Implementation of Water Framework Directive • Good status for all waters within 15 years • Threats – excessive pollution, abstraction, transfer • Lack of coordination.

  17. Towards A Solution One system for water management • Ecological status • River basin natural hydrological unit • Obligatory cross-boundary coordination • River basin management plan for each basin • Program of measures and supplementary measures • Economic analysis/derogations → New European water policy

  18. The WFD Good status for all Europe’s surface and ground water by 2015 Prevent deterioration in status of all community waters Environmental objectives Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Key approach Improved ecological quality of fresh and coastal water ecosystems Biodiversity gains Improved sustainability of water use Reduction of water pollution Mitigation of the effects of flood and drought Improved efficiency and effectiveness of water policy Benefits Establish River Basin Districts (RBDs) Identify key water management issues Establish and maintain appropriate monitoring networks Design programmes of measures and develop IRBMs Some key methods Supplementary measures Basic measures Practical implementation

  19. Why take an ecosystem approach? Classical nature conservation approaches as sole tool may: • Lack recognition of importance of ecosystem functioning. • Ignore site interlinkage. • Ignore interlinkage of nature & culture • Focus on species or protected areas • Lack of stakeholder participation in management of ecosystem • Inappropriate division of costs & benefits • Sectoral interests not integrated

  20. How The Ecosystem Approach Can Help • Produce integrated strategies and actions for ecosystems • Focus on functional relationships • Assess natural resource capacity • Use scientific knowledge • Develop monitoring and review mechanisms • Raise awareness and build capacity • Engage all the stakeholders

  21. Protecting Scotland’s Water Environment(WEWS Act 2003) • Source to sea planning framework for RBM (pollution, control protection natural environment) • “…we depend socially, culturally and economically n the quality of our water environment, the Act puts people at the heart of river basin management • If management of land water and living resources in equitable ways is to be sustainable, it must be integrated and work within the natural functioning of ecosystems • SEPA will be required to consult and enable active participation through RBAG

  22. Development of the Act Involved open participatory process Stakeholder engagement essential in implementation • openness in sharing information • clear understanding of status, objectives, conduct & roles • creating trust National Stakeholder Forum Advice to Scottish Ministers Meeting the Challenge Varied Geography, knowledge and capacity Wide Range of viewpoints and ambitions COMMON VISION

  23. 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 Comparisons between EA and WFD

  24. Key objectives of sharing experience • Build awareness • Examine constraints with stakeholders • Identify opportunities for action • Identify key measures for implementation • Indicate capacity building priorities • Suggest where other approaches more appropriate

  25. Making It Happen Westcountry Rivers Trust A Practical Example

  26. Objectives of the Trust • To secure the preservation, protection and improvement of watercourses in the Westcountry • To advance the education of the public in water management • This is achieved through…. • Adopting Ecosystem Approach • Research, Practical advice to land mangers, Catchment Scale Projects, Environmental Education and the use of Demonstration sites The Westcountry Rivers Trust

  27. Major Project Outputs To Date • 1000+ farmers & landowners given advice • 700+ Integrated Land & River Management Plans • 100 km+ vulnerable riverbank fenced • 16 wetlands restored/improved • 32+ km ditches prioritised for re-vegetation • 200+ sites of accelerated erosion controlled • 14 demonstration sites developed and operational • 180+ sites of habitat improvement • 50+ buffer zones created...

  28. Improved track and stream crossing to minimise sediment inputs

  29. Fencing and rotational clearing of ditches to encourage vegetation, attenuating run off, reducing sediment delivery and diffuse pollution.

  30. Economic, Environmental & Social Benefits • DIRECT BENEFITS predominantly to farmers - average £2,300 per farm, for example through optimising farm inputs, water separation and leak reduction, improved stock health, diversification. • INDIRECT BENEFITS to community, tourist & anglers - difficult to value, examples include improved water quality, flow regime, improved wildlife habitatsand fisheries.

  31. 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

  32. 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 • Need for tools to assist decision-making

  33. Recommendations from CBD Expert Group 2003 • COP should: • Give priority to promoting EA • Acknowledge potential of range of approach developed under different processes consistent with the EA • Parties, governments and organizations should be encouraged to: • Continue or start to implement EA and report back lessons and experience (CHM) • Provide technical input to development and field testing of the sourcebook. • Promote application in all sectors with potential impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems as well as inter-sectoral integration. • Undertake workshops to share experience and expertise • Promote financial support • Promote better understanding of the EA through communication, education, public awareness and capacity building.

  34. Conclusion from recent UK workshops • 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 • Strong engagement by UK agencies (UKBP, Battleby May 2003)

  35. The approach incorporates three important considerations: • Management of living components is considered alongside economic and social considerations at the ecosystem level of organisation, not simply a focus on managing species and habitats • If management of land, water and living resources in equitable ways is to be sustainable, it must be integrated and work within the natural functioning of ecosystems; • Ecosystem management is a social process. There are many interested communities, which must be involved through the development of efficient and effective structures and processes for decision-making and management

  36. Main Conclusions from the CBD Expert Group • It is proposed to develop a web-based “sourcebook” • to aid decision-makers/managers in practical implementation • non-prescriptive, enabling adaptation • achieved through collaboration • Application of the EA should contribute to sustainable development and MDG’s • Ecosystem Approach and Sustainable Livelihood Approach complementary and mutually supporting (through different perspectives) • Concept of adaptive management critical to implementation.

  37. THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH • Ecosystem Functional Relationship • Understanding ecosystem dynamics, integrity, health and function • Provision of ecosystem goods and services • Understand ecological sustainability and environmental threshold • Societal Choice • Involvement of society in planning • Public and private partnership • Transparency in decisions • Recognise stakeholder requirements • Management Practice • Use environmentally sound practices • Apply sustainable practice and stewardship • Harvesting based on sustainable use • Operational Implementation • Application of adaptive management, audit and review • Sharing of biological diversity benefits • Cooperation and consideration across sectors • Good governance, collegiate will and develop capacity and capability • Sustainable Outcomes • Integrate and balance social, environmental and economic needs in the short and long term • Properly value ecosystem goods and services • Promote the sustainable delivery of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services • Management Systems • Management instruments effectively balancing and promoting conservation management and sustainable use goals • Management decisions and actions at the appropriate scale • Management roles and responsibility clearly accountable • Information based decision making

  38. Recommendations • New structure of explanation and guidance on the Principles of the Ecosystem ApproachPRINCIPLERATIONALEAnnotations to the rationale CASE STUDY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES INDICATIVE LIST OF TOOLS AND SOURCES

  39. Main Conclusions from the CBD Expert Group • Experience is building up on implementation and lessons from parallel approaches should be compiled and analysed. • Most existing case studies were not designed explicitly to apply the EA • Case study collection/documentation should continue • database (searchable by sector/ biome/ eco-region) • emphasis on good example • Implementation of EA is ongoing; further review should follow fuller testing of applications • All principles need to be considered with weighting appropriate to application

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