This project explored existing examples of the Ecosystem Approach, to identify implications for future equitable and holistic natural resource management.
We understand the Ecosystem Approach as an holistic and inclusive approach to natural resource management, to be implemented via 12 'Malawi Principles' as first described by the Convention on Biological Diversity [1] (CBD) over 10 years ago. The concept is mentioned in several international and UK policy documents (including, for example, the Scottish Land Use Strategy). However, there are unresolved questions about exactly what it means to do the/an Ecosystem Approach, what it may achieve, and why. What does it mean to support, implement and evaluate the Ecosystem Approach? Better understanding existing examples of the Ecosystem Approach is of broad relevance to academics, policy groups and practitioners in Scotland, the UK and beyond. [2]
This project was funded by the Scottish Government RESAS Strategic Research Programme 2011-16.
Kerry Waylen [3], Kirsty Blackstock [4]
This project was based on a qualitative analysis of past experiences with the “Ecosystem Approach” in the UK. We searched for examples of projects for natural resource management in the UK that had been labelled an “ecosystem approach, and then reviewed and compiled publically-available information about these. We carried out semi-structured interviews with contacts (typically a project officer) associated with each project, and subsequently sent a short questionnaire to each interviewee, to complement the interviews. Our analysis of this data used a mixed inductive and deductive qualitative approach, aided by Nvivo (9 & 10). Our analysis was informed by and contributes to various literatures including on environmental governance and project evaluation.
This research has now been completed. Our initial synthesis and findings are presented in our main project report "Exploring experiences of the Ecosystem Approach" from the list below. Further analysis supported the development of outputs oriented to specific audiences, including academic papers - all outputs are listed below. In September 2015 we were invited to host an dialogue event on the Ecosystem Approach for the UK Natural Capital Initiative [5] - the report below focuses on how we could respond to the challenges to better implement the Approach. Our last portion of this work also focused on the implications for monitoring and evaluation of environmental management projects, discussed in our third academic paper listed below. Finally, in 2016 we were invited to speak about the Ecosystem Approach at the 13th Convention of the Parties for the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Mexico: that presentation is also listed below.
We now work on new projects that relate to and build on this research, such as the challenges of delivering multiple benefits [6], and of integrating policy goals [7]: to find out more you can also visit our personal staff pages, via the links on the side of this page.
Links:
[1] http://www.cbd.int
[2] http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/resize/images/projects/SG logo-100x100.jpg
[3] mailto:Kerry.Waylen@hutton.ac.uk
[4] mailto:Kirsty.blackstock@hutton.ac.uk
[5] http://www.naturalcapitalinitiative.org.uk
[6] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/projects/analysing-how-policy-instruments-shape-soil-water-and-biodiversity
[7] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/projects/exploring-international-experiences-integration
[8] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/projects/StickingPoints_to_Embedding_EcosystemK.pdf
[9] http://www.knowledgescotland.org/briefings.php?id=383
[10] http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/node/2254
[11] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/ecosystemservices/Eco-Communication2Pager(1).pdf
[12] http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/projects/Sticking_points_Research_summary.pdf
[13] http://www.knowledgescotland.org/briefings.php?id=393
[14] http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-07594-200221
[15] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/ecosystemservices/Ecosystem-Approach-Experiences-Policy-Briefing.pdf
[16] http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/ecosystemservices/Ecosystem-Approach-Experiences-Research-Summary.pdf
[17] http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eet.1758
[18] http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12331
[19] http://www.naturalcapitalinitiative.org.uk/events/past-events/esa-into-practice/
[20] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/ecosystemservices/Suggestions%20for%20evaluating%20EcA.pdf
[21] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/ecosystemservices/Report_on_EcA_review_Final.pdf
[22] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/research/srp2016-21/EcoGov-EcA%20ppt.pdf
[23] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/projects/WaylenEcApproachCBD2016.pdf
[24] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/IPA_EcA_Waylen.pdf
[25] http://www.resilience2014.org/
[26] http://escomscotland.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/waylen-blackstock-eco-jargon.pdf
[27] http://escomscotland.wordpress.com/
[28] http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/about/background/rgs2013
[29] http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/WaylenBlackstockHolstead-RGS-2013.pdf
[30] http://isdrs.org/conferences/18th-conference-2012/
[31] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/kerry-waylen
[32] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/kirsty-blackstock
[33] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/archive/2011-16/safeguarding-natural-capital/ecosystem-services
[34] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/departments/social-economic-and-geographical-sciences
[35] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/projects/water-integration
[36] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/projects/balancing-multiple-goals-natural-resource-management