Unravelling the Relationship between Ecosystem-Based Management, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning

Abstract

Coastal zones are among the most productive areas in the world, offering a wide variety of valuable habitats and ecosystems services that have attracted humans and human activities over millennia. But equally coastal zones are also among the most vulnerable areas to climate change, natural hazards and other anthropogenic perturbations. The impacts of coastal change are far reaching and are already changing the wellbeing of coastal communities. It is essential to make use of long-term management tools to enhance the conservation of coastal resources whilst increasing the sustainability of their uses. Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) are both tools that attempt to override traditional sectoral approaches that lead to disconnected decisions and missed opportunities for more sustainable coastal development. Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) describes the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on the best available scientific knowledge to achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity. However, there is a degree of contradiction regarding the juxtaposition of EBM to ICM and MSP-does it underpin and coordinate the implementation of them or does ICM and MSP coordinate the application of EBM principles to management practices and goals or does the difference in terminology detract from the real challenge of achieving sustainability of the world's coastal and marine areas? This chapter provides insights into the juxtaposition of these concepts and suggests a promising future approach founded on Biodiversity Portfolio Analysis (BPA). Lessons Learned • Adherence to terminology rather than end goals can blur the emphasis and principles of processes needed to address environmental challenges in coastal and marine areas.

Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

“…Enright and Boteler 2020 ). A lack of indicators and reference levels to measure achievements towards EB(F)M, limiting the capacity to implement effective adaptive management approaches Limitations in our understanding about the social dimensions of EBM (which encompasses socio-economic-ecological dimensions), particularly in the coastal zone (Le Tissier 2020 ) Lack of tools that consider all dimensions and dynamics, but are efficient and accessible. Since EBM is most often system-specific, EBM frameworks need to be tailored to fit the specific context of different systems.…”

“…Limitations in our understanding about the social dimensions of EBM (which encompasses socio-economic-ecological dimensions), particularly in the coastal zone (Le Tissier 2020 )…”

Progressing delineations of key biodiversity areas for seabirds, and their application to management of coastal seas

“…Management plans will need to consider both site scale actions and connectivity of sites requiring management, as the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems means that holistic interventions (i.e. interventions acting beyond and across sites) are likely best for supporting marine biodiversity (Boyd et al, 2008;Le Tissier, 2020). Without such appropriately designed management plans, designated areas run the risk of not providing the benefits they intend to deliver (Maxwell et al, 2020).…”

Importance of Beach Evaluation for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

“…Coastal zones are among the world's most productive locations, providing a diverse range of rich habitats and ecosystem services that have drawn humans and human activities for millennia (Tissier, 2020). As a result of increased industry, trade and commerce, tourism, and the population growth and migration, as well as diminished water quality, the world's coastal zone became increasingly stressed (Nayak, 2000).…”

“…As a result of increased industry, trade and commerce, tourism, and the population growth and migration, as well as diminished water quality, the world's coastal zone became increasingly stressed (Nayak, 2000). Long-term management tools must be used to improve coastal resource conservation while increasing the sustainable growth of their use (Tissier, 2020).…”