Ecosystem Approach
Case Studies

During the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the ecosystem approach was recognised as the primary framework for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In subsequent decisions the need for further guidance both in formulating a conceptual basis for understanding the ecosystem approach, as well as for providing a practical approach for its application, was acknowledged. The Conference of the Parties particularly requested that the Executive Secretary collect, analyse, compare and disseminate identified case-studies and lessons learned on the ecosystem approach (decision V/6, paragraph 4; decision VI/12, paragraph 2 (a)). In response to these requests, case-studies on the ecosystem approach submitted by Parties and other governments or organizations have been included on the case-study database of the CBD. These case-studies were submitted at various occasions:

1. Following COP-5, which took place in 2000, a series of regional "Pathfinder" workshops on the ecosystem approach were jointly organised by UNESCO, IUCN, RAMSAR, Royal Holloway-University of London, WWF and the Secretariat of the CBD. During the regional consultation workshops 26 case-studies were presented by the country representatives. They are published in the Pathfinder report, the Table of Contents of which is available here
2. The German Federal Agency of Nature Conservation, on the Isle of Vilm, Germany, hosted an international workshop on "further development of the ecosystem approach" in October 2002. Ten case-studies were presented and analysed during this workshop. Table of Contest of this report is available here
3. A call for submission of case-studies on migratory species was extended jointly by the Secretariats of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the CBD. The ecosystem approach was among the topics specifically considered. For information on these cases, refer to the CMS-CDB Joint Page on Case Studies
4. In the preparation of and during the expert meeting on the ecosystem approach, which was held in Montreal, Canada, from 7 to 11 July 2003, additional case-studies were submitted by Parties and other governments or organizations. Although the full set of submitted case studies is included in the CBD Case Studies Database, 12 were selected to illustrate the various principles of the ecosystem approach, and these are included in the "report of the expert meeting" in document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/4. You can access these case studies here

Note: The tables below provide a quick guide to the relevant cases contained in the Pathfinder and Vilm reports. The page numbers on the tables refer to the page numbers of the document to which you will be referring.

Using the Ecosystem Approach to implement the CBD
A global synthesis report drawing lessons from three regional pathfinder workshops

Click here to access the report

Ecosystem Approach
Report of the International Workshop on the Further Development of the Ecosystem Approach

Click here to access the report

Case-studies

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