Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity

Theory, Tools and Applications

Publication: Book
Citation: O’Higgins, Timothy G.; Lago, Manuel; DeWitt, Theodore H. (edit.) 2020: Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Theory, Tools and Applications. Springer Nature Switzerland.

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is the most promising approach for balancing sustainable development and biodiversity protection in aquatic ecosystems. This book introduces the essential concepts and principles required to implement Ecosystem-Based Management, detailing tools and techniques, and describing the application of these concepts and tools to a broad range of aquatic ecosystems, from the shores of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland to the estuaries of the US Pacific Northwest and the tropical Mekong Delta.

This book is a joint effort with researchers from Ecologic Institute, the University College of Cork in the Republic of Ireland and the US Environment Protection Agency. The volume can be accessed free of charge and features work done in the H2020 AQUACROSS project and has been co-edited by Dr Manuel Lago from the Ecologic Institute.

Ecosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas

A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores

Year 2020

Publication:Document

AQUACROSS Plan for Exploitation and Dissemination of Project Results

Deliverable D1.5

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Boteler, Benjamin et. al. 2015: Dissemination Plan – Strategy for disseminating AQUACROSS results and findings. Deliverable D1.1. Berlin, unpublished.

Dissemination Plan – Strategy for disseminating AQUACROSS results and findings

Deliverable D1.1

Year 2015

Publication:Article

Lago, M., Boteler, B., Rouillard, J., Abhold, K., Jähnig, S., Iglesias-Campos, A., Delacámara, G., Piet, G., Hein, T., Nogueira, A., Lillebø, A., Strosser, P., Robinson, L., De Wever, A., O'Higgins, T., Schlüter, M., Török, L., Reichert, P., van Ham, C., Villa, F. and Hugh, M. (2019). Introducing the H2020 AQUACROSS project: Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies. Science of The Total Environment, 652, pp.320-329.

Introducing the H2020 AQUACROSS Project

Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies

Year 2019

Publication:Case Study

Lough Erne sustains multiple competing activities, each with different demands from the system in terms of ecosystem services and physical resources. It is a heavily modified water body, containing a range of non-native Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are considered a threat to Lough Erne biodiversity and also negatively affect the society that surrounds it. In this report, we apply the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework to understand this challenge and identify and assess ecosystem-based management solutions to the challenge of the IAS Nutall’s pond weed. The case study is available for download.

Management and Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland

AQUACROSS Case Study 4 Report

Year 2018

Publication:Case Study

Freshwater ecosystems in the Swiss plateau are threatened by multiple stressors that deteriorate water quality and hydromorphology. To restore these ecosystems and stop the biodiversity decline, multiple management measures will be implemented over the next decades. We propose methods for a spatial and temporal prioritisation to coordinate measures from different sectors and maximise their effectiveness while considering other societal needs. The case study is available for download.

Biodiversity Management for Rivers of the Swiss Plateau

AQUACROSS Case Study 7 Report

Year 2018

Publication:Case Study

Over the past three years, the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework was developed, tested, and applied in eight case studies across Europe to solve local biodiversity challenges. Finally, results from each Case Study were published in a 30-page case study report and 3-page executive summary report. The case study is available for download.

Trade-Offs in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the North Sea Aimed at Achieving Biodiversity Strategy Targets

AQUACROSS Case Study 1 Report

Year 2018

Event:Conference

On 10 and 11 October 2018, the AQUACROSS Final Conference on "Ecosystem-Based Management for the Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity – Practice and Lessons Learnt" took place in Brussels. AQUACROSS project team members presented different tools and results regarding aquatic biodiversity protection developed during the project. Conference participants from 21 countries received the eight AQUACROSS Case Studies and the Case Study Gallery with posters, photos and information material with particular interest. The presentations held during the conference are now available on the AQUACROSS project conference website.

Ecosystem-Based Management for the Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity – AQUACROSS Final Conference

10 - 11 October 2018
Brussels, Belgium

Event:Workshop

The Faial-Pico Channel: Future stakeholder management of the Marine Protected Area

23 May 2018
Horta, Faial Island, Portugal

Language: English
Authorship: Dr. Manuel Lago

Benjamin Boteler

Hugh McDonald

Helene Hoffmann

Lina Röschel

Holger Gerdes

Keighley McFarland
Credits: O’Higgins, Timothy G.; Lago, Manuel; DeWitt, Theodore H. (edit.) 2020: Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Theory, Tools and Applications. Springer Nature Switzerland.
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Published by: SpringerOpen, International
Year: 2020
Dimension: 567 pp.
ISBN: 978-3-030-45842-3 (pdf), 978-3-030-45843-0 (eBook)
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0
Project: Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Across EU Policies (AQUACROSS)
Project ID: 2803
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

Part I Introduction
Using the Concepts and Tools of Social Ecological Systems and Ecosystem Services to Advance the Practice of Ecosystem-Based Management
Timothy G. O’Higgins, Theodore H. DeWitt, and Manuel Lago

Part II Foundational Concepts
Advancing Aquatic Ecosystem-Based Management with Full Consideration of the Social-Ecological System
Gerjan Piet, Gonzalo Delacámara, Marloes Kraan, Christine Röckmann, and Manuel Lago
Ecosystem-Based Management: Moving from Concept to Practice
Gonzalo Delacámara, Timothy G. O’Higgins, Manuel Lago, and Simone Langhans
From DPSIR the DAPSI(W)R(M) Emerges. . . a Butterfly – ‘protecting the natural stuff and delivering the human stuff’
Michael Elliott and Timothy G. O’Higgins
The Promise and Pitfalls of Ecosystem Services Classification and Valuation
Stephen Flood, Timothy G. O’Higgins, and Manuel Lago
Approaches for Estimating the Supply of Ecosystem Services: Concepts for Ecosystem-Based Management in Coastal and Marine Environments
Fiona E. Culhane, Leonie A. Robinson, and Ana I. Lillebø
The Final Ecosystem Goods & Services (FEGS) Approach: A Beneficiary-Centric Method to Support Ecosystem-Based
Management
Theodore H. DeWitt, Walter J. Berry, Timothy J. Canfield, Richard S. Fulford, Matthew C. Harwell, Joel C. Hoffman, John M. Johnston, Tammy A. Newcomer-Johnson, Paul L. Ringold, Marc J. Russell, Leah A. Sharpe, and Susan H. Yee

Part III Tools and Techniques
Ecosystem-Based Management and Natural Capital Accounting
Marc Russell, Charles Rhodes, George Van Houtven, Paramita Sinha, Katherine Warnell, and Matthew C. Harwell
Establishing a Common Framework for Strategic Communications in Ecosystem-Based Management and the Natural Sciences
Matthew C. Harwell, Jeannine L. Molleda, Chloe A. Jackson, and Leah Sharpe
Prioritizing Stakeholders, Beneficiaries, and Environmental Attributes: A Tool for Ecosystem-Based Management
Leah M. Sharpe, Connie L. Hernandez, and Chloe A. Jackson
Linkage Frameworks: An Exploration Tool for Complex Systems in Ecosystem-Based Management
Leonie A. Robinson and Fiona E. Culhane
Projecting Changes to Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystem Goods and Services—Models and Tools
Nathaniel S. Lewis, Darryl E. Marois, Chanda J. Littles, and Richard S. Fulford
An Integrated Multi-Model Decision Support Framework for Evaluating Ecosystem-Based Management Options for Coupled Human-Natural Systems
Robert B. McKane, Allen F. Brookes, Kevin S. Djang, Jonathan J. Halama, Paul B. Pettus, Bradley L. Barnhart, Marc Russell, Kellie B. Vache, and John P. Bolte
Mathematical Modeling for Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) and Ecosystem Goods and Services (EGS) Assessment
Richard S. Fulford, Sheila J. J. Heymans, and Wei Wu
The Ecosystem Services Gradient: A Descriptive Model for Identifying Levels of Meaningful Change
Susan Yee, Giancarlo Cicchetti, Theodore H. DeWitt, Matthew C. Harwell, Susan K. Jackson, Margherita Pryor, Kenneth Rocha, Deborah L. Santavy, Leah Sharpe, and Emily Shumchenia
Rapid Benefit Indicator Tools
Justin Bousquin and Marisa Mazzotta

Part IV Governance
The Ecosystem Approach in International Marine Environmental Law and Governance
Sarah Ryan Enright and Ben Boteler
Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) and Ecosystem Services in EU Law, Policy and Governance
Anne Marie O’Hagan
Ecosystem Services in U.S. Environmental Law and Governance for the Ecosystem-Based Management Practitioner
Donna R. Harwell
Unravelling the Relationship between Ecosystem-Based Management, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning
Martin Le Tissier

Part V Case Studies
Models and Mapping Tools to Inform Resilience Planning After Disasters: A Case Study of Hurricane Sandy and Long Island Ecosystem Services
Mark Myer and John M. Johnston
Ecosystem-Based Management to Support Conservation and Restoration Efforts in the Danube Basin
Andrea Funk, Timothy G. O’Higgins, Florian Borgwardt, Daniel Trauner, and Thomas Hein
Combining Methods to Establish Potential Management Measures for Invasive Species Elodea nutallii in Lough Erne Northern Ireland
Timohty G. O’Higgins, Fiona E. Culhane, Barry O’Dwyer, Leonie A. Robinson, and Maneul Lago
Mitigating Negative Unintended Impacts on Biodiversity in the Natura 2000 Vouga Estuary (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)
Ana I. Lillebø, Heliana Teixeira, Javier Martínez-López, Ana Genua-Olmedo, Asya Marhubi, Gonzalo Delacámara,
Verena Mattheiß, Pierre Strosser, Timothy G. O’Higgins, and António A. J. Nogueira
Ecosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores
Hugh McDonald, Helene Hoffman, Adriana Ressurreição, Lina Röschel, Holger Gerdes, Manuel Lago, Ben Boteler, Keighley McFarland, and Heliana Teixeira
Using Stakeholder Engagement, Translational Science and Decision Support Tools for Ecosystem-Based Management in the Florida Everglades
Rebekah Gibble, Lori Miller, and Matthew C. Harwell
Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization: Engaging Communities to Support Ecosystem-Based Management and Improve Human Wellbeing at Clean-up Sites
Kathleen C. Williams and Joel C. Hoffman
Predicting Future Vegetated Landscapes Under Climate Change: Application of the Environmental Stratification Methodology to Protected Areas in the Lower Mekong Basin
John M. Johnston, Robert J. Zomer, and Ming-cheng Wang
Keywords: Biodiversity

Coastal + Marine

freshwater, coastal, marine, ecosystems, resilience, EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, nature conservation aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem-based management, Europe, H2020, assessment framework, policy targets, sustainability

Long Island, Danube Basin, Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores, Florida Everglades, Lower Mekong Basin

ecosystem services assessment, forecasting, economic valuation, participatory scenarios, risk assessment, case studies

Further Links

AQUACROSS project website

PublicationBrochureFocus on the Future: Meat of the future

Cover of the publication with a girl biting into a bun topped with meat substitutes and vegetables.

In July 2020, the Federal Environment Agency published the trend report "Meat of the Future", which analyzes the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and in-vitro meat. Ecologic Institute developed policy options on how the market... Read more

Jetzke, Tobias et. al. 2022: Focus on the future: Meat of the future: Trend report for assessing the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and in vitro meat. Dessau-Roßlau: German Environment Agency.

PublicationReportThe AQUACROSS Innovative Concept

Gómez et al. (2016) The AQUACROSS Innovative Concept. Deliverable 3.1, European Union's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation grant agreement No. 642317. ... Read more

Gómez et al. (2016) The AQUACROSS Innovative Concept. Deliverable 3.1, European Union's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation grant agreement No. 642317.

PublicationBrochureKnowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU Policies – Brochure

AQUACROSS consortium 2016: Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies. Brochure. ... Read more

AQUACROSS consortium 2016: Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies. Brochure. The publication is available in German, English, French, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and Swedish.

PublicationPolicy BriefManaging Aquatic Biodiversity

This brief highlights the links between EU policy objectives and global targets for sustainable development, centring on aquatic ecosystems. It describes current research within the EU Horizon 2020 project AQUACROSS (Knowledge, Assessment and Management for AQUAtic... Read more

AQUACROSS consortium 2016: Managing aquatic biodiversity: from local to global – an EU perspective. Introducing the EU research project AQUACROSS.

EventConferenceEcosystem-Based Management for the Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity – AQUACROSS Final Conference

Conference:Ecosystem-Based Management for the Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity – AQUACROSS Final Conference

Date: 10 - 11 October 2018
Location: Brussels, Belgium

PublicationCase StudyManagement and Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland

O'Higgins, Tim et al. 2018: Case Study 4 Report: Management and impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland. UCC, Ecologic Institute, IUCN, University of Liverpool: Cork, Berlin, Gland, Liverpool.

PublicationCase StudyBiodiversity Management for Rivers of the Swiss Plateau

Kuemmerlen, Mathias et al. 2018: Case Study 7 Report: Biodiversity Management for Rivers of the Swiss Plateau. Eawag, Ecologic Institute, University of Liverpool: Dübendorf, Berlin, Liverpool.

PublicationCase StudyTrade-Offs in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the North Sea Aimed at Achieving Biodiversity Strategy Targets

Piet, Gerjan et al. 2018: Case Study 1 Report: Trade-Offs in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the North Sea Aimed at Achieving Biodiversity Strategy Targets. WUR: Wageningen.

PublicationCase StudyEcosystem-based Solutions to Solve Sectoral Conflicts in the Azores

As part of the AQUACROSS project, Ecologic Institute lead a case in the Faial-Pico Channel, Azores, Portugal. Despite designation as a Marine Protected Area, biodiversity in the Faial-Pico Channel is declining. Our aim: to collaborate with local stakeholders and policy... Read more

McDonald, Hugh; Benjamin Boteler; Holger Gerdes, Helene Hoffman, Keighley McFarland and Lina Röschel. 2018. D9.2 : Case Study 8 Report: Ecosystem-based solutions to solve sectoral conflicts on the path to sustainable development in the Azores. Ecologic Institute: Berlin. Available: https://aquacross.eu/content/case-study-8-ecosystem-based-solutions-solve-sectoral-conflicts-path-sustainable-development

PublicationBook SectionEcosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas

McDonald, Hugh (et al.) 2020: Ecosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores. In: O’Higgins, Timothy, Lago, Manuel, DeWitt, Theodore (Eds.): Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Springer Nature Switzerland AG: Cham.