Ecosystem Based Management

Ecosystem-based management is a comprehensive environmental management approach that recognizes the complex interactions within an ecosystem, including human activities. This paradigm shift from traditional single-species or single-issue management acknowledges the interconnectedness of ecosystems and aims to maintain their health, resilience, and biodiversity. By considering the full array of interactions, ecosystem-based management can be applied to both terrestrial and aquatic environments, addressing the challenges of managing highly migratory species, rapidly changing environmental factors, and anthropogenic influences. For example, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is managed using an ecosystem-based approach, which takes into account the complex interactions between coral, fish, and other species, as well as the impacts of climate change and human activities.