Decision Making for Sustainable Use and Development - Coastal Lagoons: Ecosystem Processes and Modeling for Sustainable Use and Development - page 330

Data and Knowledge Base

Environmental,
Economic,
Population, and Land Use
Data

Monitoring and
Evaluation

Scientific Data
and Tools

Policy and Decision Making

Model Simulation of Future
System Conditions

FIGURE 8.2 Decision support system.

8.1.2 C Q A S

OMMON UESTIONS AND NSWERS ABOUT USTAINABLE

L M

AGOON ANAGEMENT

• WHY—Why manage a lagoon for sustainability?
The “health” of the SES is dependent upon the “health” of the lagoon
ecosystem. Sustainable management means to meet the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.

Only through sustainable management will a healthy
socio-economic and ecological system be maintained.

1

• WHAT—What lagoon system components and information do we need

to make a decision about sustainable management?
The best available socio-economic and ecological data are necessary
along with a process for long-term integration of sustainable practices
into the human infrastructure and footprint.