How to make changes in the ways humans societies interact with ecosystems in marine and coastal areas.

Marine and coastal ecosystems provide key benefits to people, however upholding the range of services they provide is often dependent on conflicting human activities and on addressing the impacts of activities. The Introductory Guide to Marine and Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management is  aimed at assisting countries and communities in taking steps towards making marine and coastal EBM operational through inter-sectoral coordination and better planning.

The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that provides sustainable delivery of ecosystem services in an equitable way.

Rather than being a technical manual or textbook, the guide in an introduction to EBM principles and applications, providing an overview of key elements to getting started. It outlines operational considerations, drawing upon practical experiences and lessons across the globe, and stresses the need for cross boundary considerations and cooperation.

The guide is divided in three main sections: Making the case for marine and coastal EBM; Examining the core element of EBM; Moving toward EBM (Visioning – Planning – Implementation). It is primarily targeting planners and decision-makers in local, regional and national governments and communities, and it will support and facilitate the implementation of UNEP’s Ecosystem Management Program and new Marine and Coastal Strategy.