EBM Concept
Brief concept of EBM
Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a term used to describe a balanced way of managing resources while taking the surrounding ecosystem into account. There is no one definition of EBM, but this definition is widely quoted: "…ecosystem management is integrating scientific knowledge of ecological relationships within a complex sociopolitical and values framework toward the general goal of protecting native ecosystem integrity over the long term." *
Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) is a management approach that**:
- Integrates ecological, social, and economic goals and recognizes humans as key components of the ecosystem.
- Considers ecological- not just political- boundaries.
- Addresses the complexity of natural processes and social systems and uses an adaptive management approach in the face of resulting uncertainties.
- Engages multiple stakeholders in a collaborative process to define problems and find solutions.
- Incorporates understanding of ecosystem processes and how ecosystems respond to environmental perturbations.
- Is concerned with the ecological integrity of coastal-marine systems and the sustainability of both human and ecological systems.
*Grumbine, R. E. “What is Ecosystem Management?” Conservation Biology 8 (1994): pp. 27-38
** http://www.ebmtools.org/about_ebm.html
