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 engagement  Focus on species and protected areas vs others vs others  Environmental functions or ecosystem services ignored ignored

3. Elements of an emerging new paradigm Different ecosystems with different functional and biodiversity characteristics can occupy the same global space. 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 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. Human societies have been a key determinant of change since prehistoric times. “Recombinant Biology” is likely to be increasingly important “Recombinant Biology” is likely to be increasingly important Increasing recognition of links between ecosystem functioning, natural resource use and economic and conservation strategies. 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. 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. 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. Recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems.

5. Ecosystem Linkages: Marshlands the Marine Environment and beyond Influx from Tigris-Euphrates Freshwater Sediments Nutrients Contaminants Temperature Rainfall Deposition/sedimentation Erosion Recycling Migration of marine organisms Phytoplankton Food web dynamics Atmospheric inputs Sediment and salts Resource use Finfish Shrimp Others Migratory Aquatic Species Microclimate Inter- continental bird flyway

6. Spheres of Interest Local People Regional Interests Stakeholders International Actors National River Basin management Scientific and technical support Capacity Building and Training E.g. Water quality /regime fisheries biodiversity Quality of life Social, economic, cultural, health concerns sustainable environment E.g oil other development priorities upstream activities

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

8. Terminology 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

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

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

11. EA demands paradigm shift FROMTO PreservationAdaptive Management SectoralIntegrated ScientificMultifaceted Knowledge EnvironmentalPeople and Environment Top DownBoth Directions NationalAppropriate Level ConservationistAll Stakeholders NatureSocial and Environmental well-being

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

13. Economic Prosperity Social well- being Environmental sustainability Equitable sharing Integrated approaches Sustainable use Conserving 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. Knowledge base and WEDSS WEDSS Indicators, controlling variables (e.g. Nutrient input, soil pH, soil carbon, flow velocity, annual precipitation) Knowledgebase Data (spatial/non spatial) Wetland functions and processes Simulation modelling Assessment map OUTPUT

23. Categories and criteria CategoryCriteriaCategoryCriteria Water Quality WQ-NWQ-PWQ-Sediment WQ-Trace Elements WQ-DOC Water Quantity Flood risk reduction Groundwater maintenance Base flow support Water supply Climate change Carbon retention Greenhouse gas emissions Heritage Cultural heritage Landscape Pres. of arch. remains Pres. of paleo-env Biodiversity and biomass Habitat diversity Sp. diversity – flora Sp. diversity – fauna Biomass Local Economy Agriculture Natural Harvest ForestryShippingResidentialRecreationTourism

24. Water quality enhancement (N) 12 3

25. Comparison of scenarios Comparison of scenarios WEDSS run for each option WEDSS run for each option Compared using various methods (e.g. MCA) Compared using various methods (e.g. MCA)

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