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An ecological principles based approach to guide coastal environmental management
The study outlines ecological principles guiding the management of coastal environments amid cumulative human and natural impacts.
Introduction to coastal ecosystem management
Coastal marine systems face a critical challenge from cumulative effects stemming from human activities and natural events, which can alter ecology and resilience. Traditional management focuses on individual stressors, but there is a need for an ecosystem-based approach due to the unpredictability and complexity of ecological responses. The adoption of ecological principles to guide management is suggested, taking into account interconnected networks and the varying impacts of stressors through time and space. This shift emphasises the importance of understanding ecosystem attributes, network structure, and the role of feedback loops. It is recognised that management must evolve from addressing singular stressors to considering holistic ecosystem interactions that account for both direct and indirect effects, thus improving the predictive capabilities for management strategies.
Detailed analysis of ecosystem management principles
The research presents ecological and stressor principles supporting an ecosystem-based management approach. These principles inform the development of frameworks, such as 'ecosystem response footprint' and 'ecological and stressor state risk assessment', which assist in making informed decisions in the context of cumulative effects. The ecological principles acknowledge an ecosystem's capabilities to respond and adapt to stressors, focusing on structure, resilience, and recovery prospects. Stressor principles characterise the regime's impact on the ecosystem, considering the number of stressors and their cumulative effect. This analytical focus on principles enables a more nuanced understanding of management actions in balancing recovery potential, time frames for action, and ecological connectivity, even in contexts where data may be limited.
Conclusions and future directions
Application of ecological principles in management actions suggests various strategies based on ecosystem response footprints and states. Management actions range from stressor reduction to adaptive management and active intervention. The risk assessment tool derived from ecological and stressor states helps determine the trajectory of ecosystem health in response to these strategies. The study argues for timely action tailored to specific ecological contexts, and highlights the importance of flexibly applying principles to improve ecosystem health and manage cumulative stressor effects. It calls for enhanced frameworks that can adapt to incomplete data, thereby assisting in protecting marine environments more effectively and supporting policies for sustainable management.
Key insights
Complexity in ecosystem responses necessitates a holistic management
Modern environmental management is recognising the need to move away from siloed approaches to stressors towards a comprehensive method that assesses the interactions of various stressors within marine ecosystems. This broader outlook requires managers to acknowledge the web of direct and indirect ecosystem responses, with the aim to predict outcomes more accurately and foster resilience.
Principle-based frameworks are key in guiding coastal ecosystem health
The development and implementation of ecological and stressor principles provide a structured approach to preserving coastal health, even with limited data. This strategy aims to enhance our anticipation of an ecosystem's reaction to stress, whether for mitigating degradation or for promoting recovery, thereby supporting effective stewardship.
Urgent need for ecosystem-specific management to ensure resilience
Addressing environmental management with urgency and specificity is crucial for marine conservation success. By employing frameworks that account for ecosystem and stressor interactions, managers can better predict and combat the unforeseen consequences of cumulative effects and support enhanced policies for sustaining marine environments.
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© Copyright 2024 - Tohorā
© Copyright 2024 - Tohorā
Knowledge guiding change.
