CBD GUIDELINES
                           Biological diversity - the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it                                                            The Ecosystem Approach 
                           forms - is increasingly threatened by human activities. Management of the
                           Earth's biodiversity resources with the aim to reach the three objectives of the
                           Convention on Biological Diversity: the conservation and sustainable use of
                           biological diversity, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
                           utilization of genetic resources, presents a formidable challenge for
                           humankind. The processes linking ecosystems and species are complex, and an
                           action taken in one location may have unforeseen consequences elsewhere,
                           often far away and many years later. 
                           In this context, the ecosystem approach offers a powerful strategy for the
                           integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes
                           conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. The ecosystem approach
                           is the primary framework for action under the Convention, and its application
                           will help to reach a balance of the three objectives of the Convention.
                           The ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific
                           methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass
                           the essential structure, processes, functions and interactions among organisms
                           and their environment. It also recognizes that humans, with their cultural
                           diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. The ecosystem
                           approach is essential in guiding action under the various programmes of work
                           of the Convention, and in providing linkages between those programmes of
                           work. After all, all biomes, and thus programmes of work, are interconnected
                           in some way, and management action will likely have limited success if these
                           connections are not taken into account.
                                      Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
                                                   413 Saint-Jacques, Suite 800
                                                     Montreal, QC,H2Y 1N9
                                                             CANADA
                                                     Tel.: +1 (514) 288-2220
                                                     Fax: +1 (514) 288-6588
                                                  Email: secretariat@biodiv.org
                                                          www.biodiv.org
                              This publication was printed with funding from the Government of the Netherlands                                                                                                                         Secretariat 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       of the Convention 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       on Biological 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Diversity
               The Ecosystem Approach 
                                Secretariat of the
                                Convention on 
                                Biological Diversity
          The Ecosystem Approach
          Published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal 2004.
          Copyright 2004, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
          ISBN: 92-9225-023-x (.pdf version)
          This publication may be reproduced for educational or non-profit purposes without spe-
          cial permission from the copyright holders, provided acknowledgement of the source is
          made. The Secretariat of the Convention would appreciate receiving a copy of any publi-
          cations that use this publication as a source.
          For bibliographic and reference purposes this publication should be referred to as:
          Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2004) The Ecosystem Approach,
          (CBD Guidelines) Montreal: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 50 p.
          For further information please contact
          The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
          413 St. Jacques Street, Suite 800
          Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 1N9
          Canada
          Tel: +1 (514) 288 2220
          Fax: +1 (514) 288 6588
          Email: secretariat@biodiv.org
          Web: http://www.biodiv.org
          Photo Credits:  Bry/UNEP/Alphapresse - River, Madagascar, Erosion
          This publication is also available in pdf in  French (ISBN 92-9225-024-8)and Spanish
          (ISBN 92-9225-025-6)
          This publication was printed with funding from the Government of the Netherlands
                        Foreword
           Biological diversity - the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms
           - is increasingly threatened by human activities. Management of the Earth's bio-
           diversity resources with the aim to reach the three objectives of the Convention
           on Biological Diversity: the conservation and sustainable use of biological diver-
           sity, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic
           resources, presents a formidable challenge for humankind. The processes linking
           ecosystems and species are complex, and an action taken in one location may
           have unforeseen consequences elsewhere, often far away and many years later.
           In this context, the ecosystem approach offers a powerful strategy for the inte-
           grated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conserva-
           tion and sustainable use in an equitable way. The ecosystem approach is the pri-
           mary framework for action under the Convention, and its application will help to
           reach a balance of the three objectives of the Convention.
           The ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific
           methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass
           the essential structure, processes, functions and interactions among organisms
           and their environment. It also recognizes that humans, with their cultural diver-
           sity, are an integral component of many ecosystems. The ecosystem approach is
           essential in guiding action under the various programmes of work of the
           Convention, and in providing linkages between those programmes of work. After
           all, all biomes, and thus programmes of work, are interconnected in some way,
           and management action will likely have limited success if these connections are
           not taken into account.
           The ecosystem approach requires adaptive management to deal with the complex
           and dynamic nature of ecosystems and the absence of complete knowledge or
           understanding of their functioning. Ecosystem processes are often non-linear,
           and the outcome of such processes often shows time-lags. The result is disconti-
           nuities, leading to surprise and uncertainty. Management must be adaptive in
           order to be able to respond to such uncertainties and contain elements of "learn-
           ing-by-doing" or research feedback. Scientific research aimed at providing
           understanding of the functioning of the broader ecosystem in terms of its com-
           ponent parts and their connectivity, and oriented towards the information needs
           of management, will ensure that management decisions are based on best avail-
           able science in the context of the precautionary approach. Measures may need to
           be taken even when some cause-and-effect relationships are not yet fully estab-
           lished scientifically. 
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