Ecosystem-based management

Definition

Ecosystem-based management is an approach that considers the entire ecosystem, including humans, in the management of natural resources. This strategy seeks to maintain healthy ecosystems while addressing the interconnectedness of biological, physical, and socio-economic factors, ensuring sustainability and resilience in coastal environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem-based management integrates ecological, social, and economic considerations to achieve sustainability in resource use.
2. This approach emphasizes the importance of preserving ecosystem services, such as clean water and natural habitats, that benefit both people and nature.
3. It encourages stakeholder involvement and collaboration among different sectors to address complex coastal challenges.
4. Ecosystem-based management is often used in conjunction with adaptive management strategies to continuously improve management practices based on monitoring and feedback.
5. This management framework is critical for responding to climate change impacts and ensuring coastal resilience against hazards like flooding and erosion.

Review Questions

• How does ecosystem-based management facilitate adaptive strategies in managing coastal resources?
  • Ecosystem-based management supports adaptive strategies by incorporating a flexible approach that responds to changing conditions in ecosystems. By continuously monitoring ecological health and stakeholder needs, this management style allows for adjustments based on real-time feedback. This adaptability is essential for effectively addressing the dynamic nature of coastal environments, where factors like climate change and human activity can significantly alter ecosystems.
• Discuss how ecosystem-based management contributes to effective land use planning in coastal zones.
  • Ecosystem-based management enhances land use planning by ensuring that decisions consider the ecological functions of coastal areas. By recognizing the interconnectedness of land and marine environments, planners can design policies that protect critical habitats and maintain ecosystem services. This holistic view helps prevent degradation from overdevelopment while promoting sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.
• Evaluate the role of ecosystem-based management in international coastal agreements and its impact on transboundary issues.
  • Ecosystem-based management plays a crucial role in international coastal agreements by promoting collaborative approaches to shared resources across borders. It addresses transboundary issues like pollution and habitat loss by fostering cooperation among nations to ensure sustainable practices that respect ecological boundaries. This shared responsibility helps nations align their policies, leading to more effective conservation efforts and improved resilience against common challenges such as climate change and rising sea levels.

Related terms

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM):

A process for managing coastal areas that takes into account environmental, social, and economic factors to promote sustainable development.

Adaptive management: A systematic approach to decision-making in resource management that uses learning from outcomes to improve future practices.

Biodiversity:

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem or habitat, which is essential for maintaining ecological balance and resilience.