Ecosystemsbased

Ecosystemsbased, written as ecosystem-based in many sources, refers to an approach to environmental management that aims to sustain the structure, functioning, and resilience of ecosystems while balancing ecological, social, and economic objectives. It emphasizes the links among species, habitats, and human activities and seeks to manage resources at the ecosystem level rather than focusing on a single species or issue.

Key principles include holistic systems thinking; maintenance of ecological processes and connectivity; consideration of cumulative and cross-scale impacts; protection of ecosystem services such as food provision, water regulation, climate regulation, and cultural values; precaution in the face of uncertainty; and inclusive governance with stakeholder participation, transparency, and equity. Implementation requires cross-sector integration across fisheries, forestry, agriculture, urban planning, and conservation, and coordination across local to regional scales.

Practice typically involves scoping an ecosystem, mapping relationships and dependencies, assessing values and risks, setting multiple objectives, and designing indicators and monitoring programs. Adaptive management and scenario analysis are used to test assumptions and adjust actions as conditions change. Data sharing, capacity building, and effective governance arrangements are critical to addressing trade-offs and conflicts.

Applications include ecosystem-based fisheries management, marine spatial planning, protected-area design, watershed and landscape planning, and climate adaptation strategies. While broadly supported, challenges exist in data limitations, ecosystem complexity, governance fragmentation, and balancing equity with conservation and economic goals under changing environmental conditions.