MEVE 014: Unit 15 - Biodiversity Management through Ecosystem Approach
UNIT 15: BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT THROUGH ECOSYSTEM APPROACH
15.1 Introduction
Biodiversity conservation is increasingly being
addressed through an ecosystem approach—a comprehensive strategy that
integrates conservation, sustainable use, and equitable
sharing of biodiversity benefits. Unlike species-specific or site-based
conservation methods, the ecosystem approach focuses on maintaining the structure,
function, and processes of entire ecosystems. It recognizes the
interdependence between human well-being and natural ecosystems, making it a
holistic framework for managing biodiversity amidst the challenges of climate
change, land use change, and socio-economic development.
15.2 Objectives
After studying this unit, learners will be able
to:
- Understand the concept and evolution of the ecosystem approach.
- Explain the principles, elements, and challenges in implementing
the ecosystem approach.
- Distinguish it from classical conservation strategies.
- Apply ecosystem-based thinking to real-world biodiversity
management.
- Analyze case studies highlighting the success of this approach.
15.3 History
The ecosystem approach emerged during
the 1990s as a response to the limitations of traditional conservation
strategies. It was formally endorsed by the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) at COP 5 (2000) in Nairobi. The approach integrates
ecological, social, and economic considerations into biodiversity management.
It is rooted in systems thinking, where ecosystems are managed based on
their dynamic and complex interactions rather than fixed boundaries.
15.4 Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans derive
from ecosystems. The ecosystem approach emphasizes the protection of these
services:
- Provisioning Services – food, water, timber,
medicinal resources.
- Regulating Services – climate regulation,
flood control, disease regulation.
- Supporting Services – soil formation,
nutrient cycling, habitat for species.
- Cultural Services – recreation,
aesthetics, spiritual value.
Maintaining ecosystem integrity ensures
continued delivery of these services, benefiting both biodiversity and human
society.
15.5 Characteristics and
Concept of the Ecosystem Approach
Key characteristics include:
- Holistic: It considers ecological, economic, and social dimensions.
- Decentralized: Involves local communities and stakeholders in decision-making.
- Dynamic: Adaptable to ecosystem changes over time.
- Integrative: Balances conservation and sustainable use of resources.
Conceptually, the ecosystem approach aims to maintain
ecosystem structure and function, promote resilience, and enhance adaptive
capacity.
15.6 Linking the Ecosystem
Approach with Adaptive Management
The ecosystem approach is closely linked to adaptive
management, which involves:
- Ongoing monitoring and learning.
- Adjusting strategies based on feedback and ecological responses.
- Accepting uncertainty and complexity in ecosystem dynamics.
This synergy allows flexible, evidence-based
biodiversity management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
15.7 The Ecosystem Approach:
Key Implementation Elements
The CBD identifies 12 principles for
implementing the ecosystem approach, grouped into key elements:
- Integration of management and conservation goals.
- Decentralized governance with participation of
all stakeholders.
- Application of ecosystem-level processes, not
just species-specific actions.
- Adaptive strategies based on monitoring and feedback.
- Equity and benefit-sharing to ensure local support.
- Knowledge-based decision-making, using both scientific
and traditional knowledge.
15.8 Scientific/Technical
Challenges in the Ecosystem Approach
Despite its strengths, the approach faces
challenges:
- Data limitations on ecosystem functioning
and thresholds.
- Lack of tools for integrating ecological, social, and economic data.
- Institutional rigidity and sectoral policies
that conflict with holistic management.
- Monitoring complexity, due to long-term and
large-scale dynamics.
Overcoming these challenges requires investment
in capacity building, interdisciplinary research, and participatory
governance.
15.9 Classical Approach to
Conservation and Its Deficiency
15.9.1 The “Classic” Approach
The classical conservation approach includes:
- Species-based protection (e.g., flagship or
endangered species).
- Protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries).
- Ex-situ conservation (zoos, botanical
gardens, seed banks).
While important, this approach often isolates
biodiversity from socio-economic realities and focuses on specific targets
rather than ecosystems as a whole.
15.9.2 Deficiency of Classical
Approach
- Ignores ecosystem-level processes.
- Limited stakeholder involvement.
- Poor integration with development policies.
- Inadequate resilience to changing environments (e.g.,
climate change).
- May neglect ecosystem services essential for human
well-being.
15.10 Principles of the
Ecosystem Approach
The CBD’s 12 Malawi Principles guide the
ecosystem approach:
- Management is a matter of societal choice.
- Decentralized management should be promoted.
- Ecosystem managers should consider effects of their activities on
adjacent ecosystems.
- Recognize potential gains from management, including benefits from
biodiversity.
- Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning is a priority.
- Ecosystems must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
- The approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and
temporal scales.
- Objectives should be set for the long term.
- Management must recognize that change is inevitable.
- The approach should balance biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use.
- All forms of relevant information should be considered.
- Involve all relevant sectors and stakeholders.
15.11 Application of the
Ecosystem Approach
Applications include:
- Integrated River Basin Management – balancing water use
and ecosystem health.
- Forest Landscape Restoration – restoring degraded
ecosystems while benefiting communities.
- Marine Protected Areas – combining biodiversity
protection with fishery regulation.
- Agroecosystem Management – sustaining
productivity while maintaining soil and biodiversity.
15.12 Case Study: Western
Ghats (India)
The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot
demonstrates the ecosystem approach through:
- Community involvement in forest conservation.
- Biosphere reserves integrating core
protection, buffer use, and transition zones.
- Sustainable tourism and agriculture practices that preserve
ecosystem services.
- Use of GIS and biodiversity mapping for informed
decision-making.
The initiative balances biodiversity
conservation, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods.
15.13 Let Us Sum Up
- The ecosystem approach is a holistic strategy integrating
conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing.
- It considers the dynamic complexity of ecosystems and the
socio-economic context.
- It overcomes many limitations of classical conservation,
which focuses narrowly on species or sites.
- Adaptive management, stakeholder
participation, and integration of knowledge are central to its success.
- Case studies like the Western Ghats show how ecosystem-based
approaches lead to effective biodiversity management.
15.14 Key Words
- Ecosystem Approach – Integrated management
strategy for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Adaptive Management – Dynamic,
learning-based approach to managing ecosystems.
- Ecosystem Services – Benefits humans derive
from ecosystems.
- Malawi Principles – CBD's 12 guiding
principles for the ecosystem approach.
- Classical Conservation – Species/site-focused
biodiversity conservation.
- Integrated Management – Balancing ecological,
social, and economic goals.
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