Ecosystem Services as a Common Language for Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management

Ecosystem-based management is logistically and politically challenging because ecosystems are inherently complex and management decisions affect a multitude of groups. Coastal ecosystems, which lie at the interface between marine and terrestrial ecosystems and provide an array of ecosystem services to different groups, aptly illustrate these challenges. Successful ecosystem-based management of coastal ecosystems requires incorporating scientific information and the knowledge and views of interested parties into the decision-making process. Estimating the provision of ecosystem services under alternative management schemes offers a systematic way to incorporate biogeophysical and socioeconomic information and the views of individuals and groups in the policy and management process. Employing ecosystem services as a common language to improve the process of ecosystem-based management presents both benefits and difficulties. Benefits include a transparent method for assessing trade-offs associated with management alternatives, a common set of facts and common currency on which to base negotiations, and improved communication among groups with competing interests or differing worldviews. Yet challenges to this approach remain, including predicting how human interventions will affect ecosystems, how such changes will affect the provision of ecosystem services, and how changes in service provision will affect the welfare of different groups in society. In a case study from Puget Sound, Washington, we illustrate the potential of applying ecosystem services as a common language for ecosystem-based management.

Fil: Granek, Elise F.. Environmental Science & Management, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Polasky, Stephen. Department of Applied Economics, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Kappel, Carrie V.. National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Reed, Denise J.. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Stoms, David M.. Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Koch, Evamaría W.. Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD 21613, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Kennedy, Chris J.. Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Cramer, Lori A.. Department of Sociology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Hacker, Sally D.. Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Barbier, Edward B.. Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Aswani, Shankar. Department of Anthropology and IGP Marine Science, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Ruckelshaus, Mary. NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA 98112, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Perillo, Gerardo Miguel E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina

Fil: Silliman, Brian R.. Zoology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Muthiga, Nyawira. Wildlife Conservation Society, Mombassa, 80107; Kenia

Fil: Bael, David. Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Wolanski, Eric. ACTFR, James Cook University & Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland 4810; Australia