Simplifying the complex: an ‘Ecosystem Principles Approach’ to goods and services management in marine coastal ecosystems

Abstract

The ability to manage complex systems effectively must stem from simplifications of ecological knowledge. We present a technique called the 'Ecosystem Principles Approach' (EPA) as a progressive way of incorporating ecology into goods and services assessments. The EPA moves away from the complexity of ecosystem functions and focuses on general ecological principles. These principles more explicitly define key elements of system functioning, are not spatially or temporally confined, and can be utilised in assessment and decision-making processes. When applied to a coastal system in New Zealand, the EPA highlighted that services were primarily dependent on connectivity and that the maintenance of healthy intertidal areas was highly important for system functioning. The approach also demonstrated a separation between locations where ecosystem functions were generated and where services were valued. A high level of multi-functionality and connectivity between goods and services in marine coastal systems suggests services should be managed collectively rather than individually. The strength of the EPA is that it aligns to the principles of 'EcosystemBased Management'. This approach demonstrates how ecological information can be simplified into a format that can advise policy and better integrate with management. It highlights the need for greater trans-disciplinary integration of ecology and social science to better understand how human interactions result in critical community shifts and loss of resilience.

The other 93%: trophic cascades, stressors and managing coastlines in non-marine protected areas

“…Marine spatial planning is an integrated planning process that attempts to manage cumulative effects of multiple activities within specified areas. Closer to home, Townsend et al (2011) argue that management of complex systems must come from simplification of ecological knowledge. They propose an 'ecosystems principles approach' which defines key elements of function, are not confined spatially or temporally, and can be used in decision-making.…”

The impact of climate change on mediterranean intertidal communities: losses in coastal ecosystem integrity and services

“…Intertidal habitats, that is the zone between the high-and low-water marks along the world's coastlines and the interface between terrestrial and marine realms, are crucial for the provision of benefits to humans and have received considerable attention in the ecological as well as in the socio-economic literature (Nagelkerken et al 2000;Wilson et al 2005;Scyphers et al 2011;Townsend et al 2011). Research shows that mangrove systems and tidal flats play important roles in the marine environment in providing the services for human society (Barbier 2000;Aburto-Oropeza et al 2008;Barbier et al 2011).…”

Applying an ecosystem service approach to unravel links between ecosystems and society in the coast of central Chile

“…These metrics are approximations to a provision of ecosystem services and do not aim to identify structural differences between biological communities due to fishing (Gelcich et al, 2008(Gelcich et al, , 2012. Indirect effects of fishing on the ecosystem structure and functioning, related with many ecosystem services (Townsend et al, 2011;Muntadas et al, 2015), remains to be evaluated in our study area. But, overall, this work helped us unravel preferences by users of the coast and assess how the state change of communities caused by fisheries could negatively feedback on the user (Fig.…”