An introduction to the ecosystem approach and ecosystem

An introduction to the ecosystem approach and ecosystem services

Don’t Panic! • It’s a practical approach for delivery to get better outcomes.

The Ecosystem Approach Adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995 as the primary framework for action under the Convention a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way

Ecosystem Approach Principles

It’s a practical approach for delivery. .

Huge interest. . .

A policy shift ecosystem Natural Capital Committee approach

• An integrating approach with three key aspects • Systems: It considers the whole ecosystem • People: Puts people and sustainability at the heart of environmental management • Values: the environment provides us with important and valuable benefits (ecosystem goods and services) Ecosystems Knowledge Network The Ecosystem Approach

Ecosystems Knowledge Network • Systems • People • Values

Systems - Understanding how nature works • Considers the whole ecosystem • Builds on the Lawton principles of bigger, better, more and joined • Thinks about whole systems and adjacent areas • Includes ecosystem functions and processes as well as habitats and species

Human health, wellbeing and prosperity Regulating services Provisioning services Cultural services Supporting Services Underpinning landscape with biodiversity , geodiversity and ecosystem processes = Natural Capital

Managing for multiple benefits ? ?

Who benefits?

People - Involving people • People are at the heart of the approach • Recognising the different ways in which the natural environment benefits people • Partnership working: different partners have different objects • Involving different people - those who manage the natural environment and those who benefit from it. • Seeking “win-win” solutions and looking at potential conflicts

Value - Valuing nature’s services

Types of values – it’s not all about money

Values – valuing nature’s services • The ecosystem approach is about ensuring that the value of the natural environment is recognised in decision making. Recognising value Demonstrating value Capturing value • Valuing the natural environment is part of the approach - not the whole approach. • Valuation doesn’t have to be in monetary terms. • Valuation informs decision making – it doesn’t replace it.

An integrated approach to delivery Partnership working Involving different people Multiple benefits V I EL D Valuing D what nature E T provides A R G E T N ILong term management How nature works Y R E More joinedup delivery Landscape scale