Linking Ecosystem Health Indicators and Collaborative Management: a Systematic Framework to Evaluate Ecological and Social Outcomes

Challenges in Riverine Ecosystem Management

“…It integrates data and analysis from the natural, social, and health sciences, often as input for collaborative decision-making that incorporates human values and perceptions (Muñoz-Erickson et al 2007). This expands the scope of assessment from ecosystems out to the wider context of the surrounding society and its culture and economy.…”

Assessment of temporal trends in ecosystem health using an holistic indicator

“…Criticisms of the concept include using benchmarks of 'health' determined by professionals from a 'top-down' approach, a lack of prescription on how to choose among competing management alternatives, a lack of definition regarding who the stakeholders are and how their competing objectives are used to define health, and the assumption that unaltered ecosystems are healthier than human-altered ones (Lackey, 2001). Over the last decade, there have been considerable advances in understanding of ecosystem health (Waltner-Toews, 1996;Bertollo, 2001;Muñoz-Erickson et al, 2007;Bunch et al, 2008;, although practical applications of the concept remain more limited (Wilcox, 2001). However, there are many practical studies using other methods encompassing some of the principles of the Ecosystem Approach to management.…”

“…As recommended by Reed et al (2006), the indicators and benchmarks of health used in HEHI can be selected using a mix of both scientific and stakeholder input, resulting in an index of health which is generated from a bottom-up, values-led process but also based on scientific counsel. The method has been applied in the evaluation of outcomes of collaborative management of mixed public and private land in Arizona, USA, and the implementation of indicators, and the negotiation of management actions, is ongoing (Muñoz-Erickson et al, 2007).…”

“…Indicators are identified for each dimension and each indicator given a score that reflects its health status. The individual scores can then be combined to provide a quantitative assessment of the ecosystem's overall health status (see Muñoz-Erickson et al, 2007; Fig.1 for graphic). As recommended by Reed et al (2006), the indicators and benchmarks of health used in HEHI can be selected using a mix of both scientific and stakeholder input, resulting in an index of health which is generated from a bottom-up, values-led process but also based on scientific counsel.…”

Reflecting on the next generation of models for community-based natural resources management

“…The assessment question then becomes one not simply of success or failure of the CBNRM initiative, but of the change process itself. If the next generation of CBNRM models is to be designed, it is essential that the evolution of CBNRM programmes in particular be understood, how different contexts and roleplayers shape the outcomes, and how flexibility and resilience can be built into the CBNRM programmes and their prospective outcomes (Muñoz-Erickson et al 2007). …”