An introduction to the ecosystem approach and ecosystem services

Don’t Panic! It’s a practical approach for delivery to get better outcomes.

The Ecosystem Approach Adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995 as the primary framework for action under the Convention a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way

Ecosystem Approach Principles

It’s a practical approach for delivery....

Huge interest...

A policy shift Natural Capital Committee ecosystem approach

The Ecosystem Approach An integrating approach with three key aspects Systems: It considers the whole ecosystem People: Puts people and sustainability at the heart of environmental management Values: the environment provides us with important and valuable benefits (ecosystem goods and services) Ecosystems Knowledge Network

Systems People Values Ecosystems Knowledge Network

Systems - Understanding how nature works Considers the whole ecosystem Builds on the Lawton principles of bigger, better, more and joined Thinks about whole systems and adjacent areas Includes ecosystem functions and processes as well as habitats and species

Supporting Services Underpinning landscape with biodiversity, geodiversity and ecosystem processes = Natural Capital Regulating services Provisioning services Cultural services Human health, wellbeing and prosperity

Managing for multiple benefits ? ? ? ?

Who benefits?

People - Involving people People are at the heart of the approach Recognising the different ways in which the natural environment benefits people Partnership working: different partners have different objects Involving different people - those who manage the natural environment and those who benefit from it. Seeking “win-win” solutions and looking at potential conflicts

Value - Valuing nature’s services

Types of values – it’s not all about money

Values – valuing nature’s services The ecosystem approach is about ensuring that the value of the natural environment is recognised in decision making. Valuing the natural environment is part of the approach - not the whole approach. Valuation doesn’t have to be in monetary terms. Valuation informs decision making – it doesn’t replace it. Recognising value Demonstrating value Capturing value

Involving different people Landscape scale Multiple benefits Partnership working More joined- up delivery Valuing what nature provides How nature works Long term management An integrated approach to delivery INTEGRATED DELIVERY