Ecosystem Management

Question 1

What is ecosystem management?

Answer 1

Achieving societal goals for the interacting biotic communities and their abiotic attributes in a defined geographic area.

Question 2

What are the five steps of ecosystem management?

Answer 2

1. Determining the main stakeholders and defining the ecosystem area.
2. Characterizing the ecosystem’s structure, function and management
3. Identifying economic issues
4. Determine the likely impact of the ecosystem on adjacent ecosystems.
5. Deciding on long term goals and flexible ways of reaching them.

Question 3

How does ecosystem management work to achieve sustainability?

Answer 3

Ecosystem management is characterized as an interconnected approach to resource management that considers
1. the whole ecosystem
2. all costs (economic, environmental and societal)
3. aims for social equitability.

This criteria applied to ecosystem management is in line with the three pillars of sustainable development model.

Question 4

Referring to Step A of the ecosystem management approach, what is the basis for setting the geographic boundary?

Answer 4

There are four key aspects that are recognized when identifying the ecosystem area.

1. The area meets scientific criteria
2. Is appropriate to existing management capacity, knowledge and experience.
3. Takes account of administrative, legal and cultural boundaries.
4. Is understanding that a long term, ideal area may be constrained by what is effective management in the short term.

Question 5

What are the requirements of completing Step B of the ecosystem management approach?

Answer 5

The balance of conservation and use of biodiversity will be achieved through joint-decision making and through agreements on who should manage what parts of the ecosystem. It is integral that the joint management is monitored and adapted as the understanding of issues affecting the ecosystem evolve.