Ecosystem approach and ocean management - Ocean Sustainability in the 21st Century - page 201

3. This focus on structure, processes, functions and interactions is
consistent with the definition of “ecosystem” provided in Article 2 of
the Convention on Biological Diversity .
This in turn led to decision V/6, in which the parties described the ecosystem approach as
follows:
The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land,
water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an
equitable way. Application of the ecosystem approach will help to reach a balance
of the three objectives of the Convention. It is based on the application of
appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization
which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among
organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural
diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems .
In that decision, water is not specified as either fresh or salt. Although the discussions had
tothatpointfocusedonterrestrial systems, itwasclear thattheycouldbetranslated mutatis
mutandis to the marine environment; COP V recommended the application of 12 principles
of the ecosystem approach (see Box 6.1 ) . These principles are complementary and linked
and, where feasible and appropriate, should be applied together. They should be translated
flexibly to address management issues in different social, economic, and environmental
contexts.
Box 6.1 The twelve principles of the ecosystem approach
The CBD Conference of the Parties recommended application of these principles and
associated guidance in decision V/6 (CBD, 2000 ).
Principle 1: The objectives of management of land, water, and living resources are a
matter of societal choices.