The Ecosystem Approach:

What does it mean?

Edward MaltbyRoyal 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

Meeting future challenges

Framework for Ecosystem Management

Framework for Ecosystem Management

Human Desiresand NeedsHuman Desiresand Needs

EcologyEcology

TechnologyandEconomics

TechnologyandEconomics

Ecosystem Services(Constanza et al. 1997)

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

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)

Historic approach

Sectoral policies and subsidies

Top down process with limited stakeholder engagement

Focus on species and protected areas

Environmental functions ignored

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

Natural Functions And Benefits

Source of incomeMaintains natural functioning

Hunting, fishing, boating, walking, birdwatching

Sustainable tourism and recreation

Natural resources e.g. food, timber

Maintains biodiversitySupports important and/or rare habitats

Habitat for flora and fauna

Good water quality, supports other natural resources

Maintains good water quality

Removal of pollutants from runoff

Maintenance of water quality

Food supply, source of income

Maintains natural functioning

Low intensity agriculture does not affect other functions

Support for sustainable agriculture

Water supplyReplenishment of aquifers

Infiltration to groundwater

Groundwater recharge

Reduces flooding downstream

Maintains water tables, facilitates exchanges between floodplain and river

Natural flooding allows detention of floodwater

Flood control

Societal significance

Environmental significance

DescriptionFunction

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

Ecosystem Approach

Ecosystem Approach

Ecosystem Approach ensures that all consequences of a management action are

considered within the action’s area of influence

Ecosystem Approach ensures that all consequences of a management action are

considered within the action’s area of influence

ManagementAction

ecological

economic

socialcultural

political

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

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

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

An ecosystem approach:

1 - Defines appropriate management Level.2 - Functioning ecosystems essential & dependent on biological diversity3 - Understanding ecosystem sustainable use.4 - People use and move between different ecosystems.5 - Humans are residents of ecosystems6 - Use of all sources of knowledge for best management7 - 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

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.

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

The WFDPrevent deterioration in status of all community

waters

Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM)

Establish River Basin

Districts (RBDs)

Identify key water

management issues

Establish and maintain

appropriate monitoring networks

Design programmes of measures and

develop IRBMs

Supplementary measuresBasic measures

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

Good status for all Europe’s surface and ground water by 2015

Environmental objectives

Key approach

Benefits

Some key methods

Practical implementation

Why take an ecosystem approach?

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

Classical nature conservation approaches as sole tool may:

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

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

Development of the Act

National Stakeholder ForumAdvice to Scottish Ministers

Meeting the Challenge

Wide Range of viewpoints and ambitions

Varied Geography, knowledge and capacity

COMMON VISION

Stakeholder engagement essential in implementation

•openness in sharing informationopenness in sharing information

•clear understanding of status, objectives, conduct & rolesclear understanding of status, objectives, conduct & roles

•creating trustcreating trust

Involved open participatory process

Comparisons between EA and WFD

Appropriate administrative arrangementsManagement at lowest appropriate level

DerogationsManage within functional limits

Best practice by sector, issue and joined-up action

Involve all relevant sectors

Review planningChange inevitable long-term

River basinAppropriate scale effects on other ecosystems

Ecological qualityStructure and functioning

Economic analysisEconomic context

Public consultationSocietal choice, consider all information

WFDEA

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

Making It Happen

Westcountry Rivers Trust

A Practical Example

Objectives of the TrustObjectives 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

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...

Improved track and stream crossing to minimise sediment inputs

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

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 habitats and fisheries.

EA 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

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

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.

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)

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

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.

Management Practice

Use environmentally sound practicesApply sustainable practice and stewardshipHarvesting based on sustainable use

Operational Implementation

Application of adaptive management, audit and reviewSharing of biological diversity

benefitsCooperation and

consideration across sectorsGood governance, collegiate will and develop capacity and

capability

Management SystemsManagement instruments effectively balancing and promoting conservation management and sustainable use goalsManagement decisions and actions at the appropriate scaleManagement roles and responsibility clearly accountableInformation based decision making

Sustainable Outcomes

Integrate and balance social, environmental and economic needs in the short and long termProperly value ecosystem goods and servicesPromote the sustainable delivery of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services

Societal ChoiceInvolvement of society in planningPublic and private partnershipTransparency in decisionsRecognise stakeholder requirements

Ecosystem Functional Relationship

Understanding ecosystem dynamics, integrity, health and functionProvision of ecosystem goods and servicesUnderstand ecological sustainability and environmental threshold

Recommendations

New structure of explanation and guidance on the Principles of the Ecosystem Approach

PRINCIPLE

RATIONALEAnnotations to the rationale

CASE STUDY

IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

INDICATIVE LIST OF TOOLS AND SOURCES

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