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Tools for Ecosystem-Based Management of Coastal and Marine Environments

A rising tide of stories about climate change, beach closures and depleted ocean fisheries is focusing public attention on the health of coastal and marine environments. Conserving these imperiled ecosystems requires a holistic approach to planning and management.

Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) is an innovative management approach that considers entire ecosystems, including humans and the environment, rather than managing one issue or resource in isolation. NatureServe’s EBM Tools Program, with support from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, is working to develop a knowledge base of tools, primarily software and other highly documented methods, that can help implement EBM processes in coastal and marine environments and their watersheds. Some of the primary uses for EBM tools are:

• Collecting, managing and processing data about ecosystems and human communities
• Generating and visualizing scenarios of potential consequences of different management decisions on natural resources and the economy
• Facilitating communication with the public and stakeholder involvement in planning and management processes.

When used in an effective process, these tools:

• Help incorporate a wide array of ecosystem and human considerations into decision making
• Save time and help explore a wider range of alternatives by automating analyses and processes that occur repeatedly
• Help build collaboration among diverse project participants by creating a forum where stakeholder groups learn about and need to account for each others’ goals and concerns.

An initial survey and evaluation of existing EBM tools for coastal and marine environments is available for download. The summary includes tools appropriate for use in coastal and marine environments, as well as watersheds, with input into these environments.

The EBM Tools Network

NatureServe’s EBM Tools Program also coordinates the EBM Tools Network, a voluntary alliance of EBM practitioners and tool providers to share knowledge about EBM tools. The EBM Tools Network website (www.ebmtools.org) provides the most comprehensive information available on EBM tools to planners, managers and scientists from around the world, including:

• Searchable database of EBM tools
• Case studies, EBM tools training materials, and best practices for using tools
• Information on funding opportunities, technical assistance offers, meetings and conferences, data sources, and much, much more.

Sign up for monthly updates and events announcements from the Network at www.ebmtools.org/contact.html.

The EBM Tools Network members include American Museum of Natural History Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Boston University, Brown University, Center for Watershed Protection, Coastal Development Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Conservation International, Conservation Planning Institute, Davey Jones' Locker, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, DHI, Duke University, Ecotrust, ENCORA, Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Sea Grant, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Intelligent Marine Planning, Mappamondo GIS, MarinMap,  Memorial University, National Center for Coral Reef Research, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Economics Program/Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, The Nature Conservancy, NatureServe, Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Network, Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (PacMARA), PlaceMatters, Placeways, the Sea Around Us Project, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Queensland , University of the South Pacific,  University of Tasmania, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Wild Salmon Center, World Fish Center, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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