ID:
publications-2198
Type:
Peer reviewed articles
Year:
2018
Authors:
Simone D. Langhans, Sami Domisch, Stefano Balbi, Gonzalo DelacĂĄmara, Virgilio Hermoso, Mathias Kuemmerlen, Romina Martin, Javier MartĂnez-LĂłpez, Peter Vermeiren, Ferdinando Villa, Sonja C. JĂ€hnig
Title:
Combining eight research areas to foster the uptake of ecosystem-based management in fresh waters
Venue/Journal:
Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
DOI:
10.1002/aqc.3012
Research type:
Simulation & Modeling
Water System:
Natural Water Bodies
Technical Focus:
Abstract:
AbstractFreshwater ecosystems are under a constant risk of being irreversibly damaged by human pressures that threaten their biodiversity, the sustainability of ecosystem services (ESs), and human wellâbeing. Despite the implementation of various environmental regulations, the challenges of safeguarding freshwater assets have so far not been tackled successfully.A promising way forward to stop the loss of freshwater biodiversity and to sustain freshwaterâbased ESs is by implementing ecosystemâbased management (EBM), an environmental planning and adaptive management approach that jointly considers social and ecological needs. Responsible for considerable recent success in sustainably managing and conserving marine ecosystems, EBM has not yet been championed for fresh waters.A major reason for the delayed uptake of EBM in fresh waters is likely to be its complexity, requiring planners to be familiar with the latest developments in a range of different research areas. EBM would therefore benefit from becoming more tangible to receive attention on the ground.To facilitate uptake, eight core research areas for EBM and their innovations are introduced, and the way in which they feed into the workflow that guides the EBM planning stage is explained.The workflow links biodiversity distributions with ES supplyâandâdemand modelling and SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) target planning, including scenarioâ and crossârealm perspectives, the prioritization of management alternatives, spatial prioritization of biodiversity conservation and ES areas, and the quantification of uncertainties. Given the extensive resources, time, and technical capacity required to implement the full workflow, a light and an ultralight version of the workflow are also provided.Applied in concert, the eight wellâknown research areas allow for better planning and operationalizing, and eventually for implementing EBM in freshwater ecosystems. EBM has great potential to increase public acceptance by introducing the consideration of human needs and aspirations into typically biodiversityâdriven conservation and management approaches. This will ultimately improve the integrity of freshwater ecosystems.
Link with Projects:
748625
Link with Tools:
Related policies:
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