. The theoretical concept of the ecosystem approach (EA) aims at assessing ecosystem function based on integrative assessments of multiple levels of biological organization. Since the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, the EA has been increasingly integrated into environmental policy and legislation, but to date, its practical implementation remains vague with a lack of universal guidelines and concrete recommendations for its use across ecosystem boundaries. On the basis of a review of scientific literature, worldwide environmental legislation and existing monitoring approaches, we identified the most important factors which hamper the feasibility of the EA. We propose a generally applicable methodology for implementing the EA in ecological and environmental monitoring across different ecosystems and habitat types. Successful application of the EA largely depends on adequately standardized and synchronized sampling designs for all abiotic and biotic components, appropriate depth of taxonomic identification, and sufficient spatial and temporal replication. The proposed step- by- step guidelines for using the EA are valid across ecosystem types, geographic regions, and for a variety of data types, making them promising tools for ecological monitoring.
Conceptual guidelines for the implementation of the ecosystem approach in biodiversity monitoring
Published 2016 in Ecosphere
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2016
- Venue
Ecosphere
- Publication date
2016-05-01
- Fields of study
Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- data types
Different forms of observational or measurement data that can be used in the framework.
Aliases: data
- ecological and environmental monitoring
Monitoring activities that measure ecological conditions and environmental change across ecosystems.
Aliases: environmental monitoring, ecological monitoring
- ecosystem approach (ea)
An integrative framework for assessing ecosystem function across multiple levels of biological organization.
Aliases: EA, ecosystem approach
- ecosystem types
Different categories of ecosystems or habitat systems to which the approach can be applied.
Aliases: ecosystem boundaries, habitat types
- geographic regions
Distinct spatial regions or world areas considered when applying the framework.
Aliases: regions
- spatial and temporal replication
Repeated sampling across multiple locations and time points to capture variation in the system.
Aliases: replication across space and time
- standardized and synchronized sampling designs
Sampling plans in which abiotic and biotic components are collected using harmonized methods and aligned timing.
Aliases: standardized sampling designs, synchronized sampling designs
- step-by-step guidelines
A proposed procedural framework for applying the ecosystem approach in monitoring practice.
Aliases: guidelines, methodology
- taxonomic identification depth
The level of taxonomic resolution used when identifying sampled organisms.
Aliases: taxonomic resolution
REFERENCES
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