|
| 1. Project Details |
| Author or Responsible Organization |
|
R D Smith and E Maltby. (2003) 'Using the Ecosystem Approach to Implement the Convention on Biological Diversity: Key issues and case studies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK x + 118pp. |
| Project Title |
|
East African Marine ecoregion project |
| Date of Publication |
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| Project Status |
|
Ongoing |
| Project Start Date |
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| Project End Date |
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| Countries |
|
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| Regions |
|
Africa |
| Funding Source |
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| 2. Background to Project |
| Project Issue/Problem Statement |
|
The overall goal of the project is to maintain a well
functioning ecoregion where representative species and
habitats are conserved and people use marine resources in a
sustainable manner. |
| Project Description |
|
The main focus of the project is to protect key sites,
processes and wildlife populations in the marine and coastal
habitats by promoting the implementation of policies and
practices that support protection and wise use of marine
resources. The other goal is to strengthen the capacities of
local, national and regional institutions, enabling them to
effectively participate in the conservation and wise use of
the marine resources of the East African Marine ecoregion.
An ecoregion-based conservation approach was used,
encompassing multi-disciplinary approaches, stakeholder
participation, partnership development and adaptive
management. The implementation of the project specifically
sought to identify the biological situation in the field and
the threats affecting resources. The major steps taken were a
reconnaissance, biological and socio-economic assessments,
and development of a biological vision and ecoregion plan
for the implementation of project activities. |
| Highlighted Aspects of Ecosystem Approach |
|
• Both biophysical and socio-economic aspects need to
be addressed in the conservation of marine and coastal
ecosystems.
• The project approach is multi-disciplinary and
encompasses stakeholder participation and adaptive
management.
• T he project addresses the conservation and sustainable
use objectives of the CBD. |
| Conclusions |
|
• It is difficult, in practice, to identify and fix the exact
boundaries of ecoregions. They should be left flexible and
adaptable depending on the nature of the ecoregion.
• In order to use an ecoregion approach, there is need to
have reliable technical and scientific information.
• Although the mobilization of stakeholders across country
boundaries may be difficult, it is an important aspect of
the ecoregion approach.
• Ongoing activities and initiatives need to be recognised
and utilized when using the ecoregion approach. |
|
|
|
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| 3. Sectors and Biomes |
| Sectors |
|
Fisheries |
| Biomes |
|
Marine and Coastal Biodiversity |
|
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| 4. Tools and Approaches |
| Tools and Approaches |
|
Relevance
Score |
|
Further
Information |
| Public Participation |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Education and Awareness |
|
3-High |
|
|
| - Communication |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Management and Incentives |
|
3-High |
|
|
| - Adaptive management |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Data, Monitoring and Modelling |
|
3-High |
|
|
| - Data collection |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Cross-sectoral Research and Working |
|
3-High |
|
|
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|
|
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| 5. Issues |
| Issues |
|
Relevance
Score |
| Sustainable Use of Biodiversity |
|
3-High |
|
|
|
|
|
| 6. Ecosystem Approach |
| Principles and Operational Guidance |
|
Relevance
Score |
|
Reason
(Only if NOT relevant) |
| Principle 1: The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choices |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 2: Management should be decentralized to the lowest appropriate level |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 3: Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 4: Recognizing potential gains from management, there is usually a need to understand and manage the ecosystem in an economic context |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem services, should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 7: The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales |
|
3-High |
|
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| Principle 8: Recognizing the varying temporal scales and lag-effects that characterize ecosystem processes, objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 9: Management must recognize the change is inevitable |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 10: The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between, and integration of, conservation and use of biological diversity |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Principle 11: The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices |
|
3-High |
|
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| Principle 12: The ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines |
|
3-High |
|
|
| Operational Guidance A: Focus on the relationships and processes within ecosystem |
|
3-High |
|
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| Operational Guidance C: Use adaptive management practices |
|
3-High |
|
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| Operational Guidance D: Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate for the issue being addressed, with decentralization to lowest level, as appropriate |
|
3-High |
|
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| Operational Guidance E: Ensure intersectoral cooperation |
|
3-High |
|
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|
|
|
|
| 7. Lessons Learned and the Outcomes |
| Lessons Learned |
|
• It is difficult, in practice, to identify and fix the exact
boundaries of ecoregions. They should be left flexible and
adaptable depending on the nature of the ecoregion.
• In order to use an ecoregion approach, there is need to
have reliable technical and scientific information.
• Although the mobilization of stakeholders across country
boundaries may be difficult, it is an important aspect of
the ecoregion approach.
• Ongoing activities and initiatives need to be recognised
and utilized when using the ecoregion approach. |
| Outcomes |
|
|
| Other Information |
|
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|
|
|
| 8. References |
| References |
|
Smith, R.D. & Maltby, E. (2003) Using the Ecosystem Approach to Implement the Convention on Biodiversity: Key issues and case studies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, Uk x + 118pp. |
|
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| 9. Contact Details |
| Contact Person |
|
Ms. Diana Mortimer |
| Job Title |
|
Ecosystem Approach Officer |
| Organization |
|
Joint Nature Conservation Committee |
| Address |
|
Monkstone House, City Road, |
| Postal Code |
|
PE13 4LA |
| City |
|
Peterborough |
| ZIP/State/Province |
|
Cambs |
| Telephone |
|
+44 1733 866857 |
| Fax |
|
+44 1733 555948 |
| E-mail Address |
|
diana.mortimer@jncc.gov.uk |
| |
| |
