Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
6.6 Conclusions
While the theory and policy settings for the ecosystem approach have developed over the
past 30 years, implementation of the theory/policy has lagged considerably, with very un-
even take-up around the world. Several key implementation tools exist that could be more
closely and consistently brought under the banner of the ecosystem approach, such as the
designation and management of biosphere reserves under UNESCO (UNESCO, 1996 ) . A
clear and simple operating framework for biosphere reserves (including a growing number
of coastal and marine) has been developed, organized in a hierarchy of goals, strategies, and
actions, and has three primary goals:
1. Use biosphere reserves to identify and conserve natural and cultural diversity.
2. Utilize biosphere reserves as models for land management and for approaches to
sustainable development, through appropriate incentives.
3. Use biosphere reserves for research, monitoring, education, and training.
These broad goals, and their subsidiary objectives, represent a global application of the eco-
system approach. UNESCO ( 2000 ) has a fuller account of this relationship .
Many examples exist that are not named as the ecosystem approach but which are con-
sistent with the CBD ecosystem approach principles in Box 6.1 . For instance, in some sec-
tors there has been an increase in the adoption of broader ecosystem-based management that
takes into account social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Several general points emerge in reviewing experience with the ecosystem approach in
coasts and oceans to date:
·
Experience has shown that integration among sectoral policies can be complement-
ary to the reinforcement of individual sectors, hence the ecosystem approach
teaches us that integration and sectoral reinforcement are not mutually exclusive
(Vierros et al ., 2006 ).
·
Search WWH ::




Custom Search