ÖkosystemManagement

ÖkosystemManagement is an integrated approach to managing natural resources by maintaining ecosystem structure and processes to sustain ecosystem services for current and future generations. It combines ecological, social, and economic objectives, and emphasizes the connectivity within landscapes and across sectors.

Core concepts include ecosystem services, resilience, adaptability, and stakeholder participation. It relies on adaptive management, where policies are treated as experiments and adjusted based on monitoring results. It often uses a landscape-scale perspective and cross-sector coordination.

Methods include setting management objectives, defining ecological indicators (biodiversity, water quality, soil health, carbon storage), monitoring, modeling, GIS analysis, and scenario planning. Decision-making integrates ecological data with socioeconomic considerations and legal frameworks.

History and scope: The concept emerged in the late 20th century in response to cumulative environmental pressures and the need for holistic resource management. It has been implemented in forests, fisheries, watersheds, wetlands, and coastal zones, and is aligned with ecosystem-based management in public policy.

Examples and governance: Implementation often involves public agencies, indigenous and local communities, NGOs, and industry; co-management and participatory planning are common. It aims to avoid unintended consequences, support biodiversity, maintain provisioning services, and improve climate resilience.

Challenges and critique: Complexity of ecosystems, data gaps, conflicting values, and governance fragmentation can hinder progress. Success depends on long-term commitment, adequate funding, transparent monitoring, and adaptive learning.