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CBD GUIDELINES Biological diversity - the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it The Ecosystem Approach forms - is increasingly threatened by human activities. Management of the Earth's biodiversity resources with the aim to reach the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity: the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, presents a formidable challenge for humankind. The processes linking ecosystems and species are complex, and an action taken in one location may have unforeseen consequences elsewhere, often far away and many years later. In this context, the ecosystem approach offers a powerful strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. The ecosystem approach is the primary framework for action under the Convention, and its application will help to reach a balance of the three objectives of the Convention. The ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass the essential structure, processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It also recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. The ecosystem approach is essential in guiding action under the various programmes of work of the Convention, and in providing linkages between those programmes of work. After all, all biomes, and thus programmes of work, are interconnected in some way, and management action will likely have limited success if these connections are not taken into account. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 413 Saint-Jacques, Suite 800 Montreal, QC,H2Y 1N9 CANADA Tel.: +1 (514) 288-2220 Fax: +1 (514) 288-6588 Email: secretariat@biodiv.org www.biodiv.org This publication was printed with funding from the Government of the Netherlands Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity The Ecosystem Approach Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity The Ecosystem Approach Published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal 2004. Copyright 2004, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity ISBN: 92-9225-023-x (.pdf version) This publication may be reproduced for educational or non-profit purposes without spe- cial permission from the copyright holders, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The Secretariat of the Convention would appreciate receiving a copy of any publi- cations that use this publication as a source. For bibliographic and reference purposes this publication should be referred to as: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2004) The Ecosystem Approach, (CBD Guidelines) Montreal: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 50 p. For further information please contact The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 413 St. Jacques Street, Suite 800 Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 1N9 Canada Tel: +1 (514) 288 2220 Fax: +1 (514) 288 6588 Email: secretariat@biodiv.org Web: http://www.biodiv.org Photo Credits: Bry/UNEP/Alphapresse - River, Madagascar, Erosion This publication is also available in pdf in French (ISBN 92-9225-024-8)and Spanish (ISBN 92-9225-025-6) This publication was printed with funding from the Government of the Netherlands Foreword Biological diversity - the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms - is increasingly threatened by human activities. Management of the Earth's bio- diversity resources with the aim to reach the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity: the conservation and sustainable use of biological diver- sity, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, presents a formidable challenge for humankind. The processes linking ecosystems and species are complex, and an action taken in one location may have unforeseen consequences elsewhere, often far away and many years later. In this context, the ecosystem approach offers a powerful strategy for the inte- grated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conserva- tion and sustainable use in an equitable way. The ecosystem approach is the pri- mary framework for action under the Convention, and its application will help to reach a balance of the three objectives of the Convention. The ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass the essential structure, processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It also recognizes that humans, with their cultural diver- sity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. The ecosystem approach is essential in guiding action under the various programmes of work of the Convention, and in providing linkages between those programmes of work. After all, all biomes, and thus programmes of work, are interconnected in some way, and management action will likely have limited success if these connections are not taken into account. The ecosystem approach requires adaptive management to deal with the complex and dynamic nature of ecosystems and the absence of complete knowledge or understanding of their functioning. Ecosystem processes are often non-linear, and the outcome of such processes often shows time-lags. The result is disconti- nuities, leading to surprise and uncertainty. Management must be adaptive in order to be able to respond to such uncertainties and contain elements of "learn- ing-by-doing" or research feedback. Scientific research aimed at providing understanding of the functioning of the broader ecosystem in terms of its com- ponent parts and their connectivity, and oriented towards the information needs of management, will ensure that management decisions are based on best avail- able science in the context of the precautionary approach. Measures may need to be taken even when some cause-and-effect relationships are not yet fully estab- lished scientifically. 1
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