Ecosystem approach

A step toward the implementation of a regional Baltic Sea specific ecosystem approach to the management of human activity was made at the Joint OSPAR and HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in June 2003 where it was agreed that the ecosystem approach and setting of ecological quality objectives (EcoQOs) are key to improving the protection of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea (Declaration of the First Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Helsinki and OSPAR Commissions, Bremen 25-26 June 2003).

The ecosystem approach is commonly defined as

	“the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on the best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of marine ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity”.

Definitions

Ecosystem approach is based on a multi-species framework, where emphasis is on long-term sustainability, integrating human activities and conservation of nature, including political, economic and social values, and should propose solutions which are socially acceptable. It is also important to recognise that it is human activities that we are able to manage, not ecosystems per se.

EcoQOs of HELCOM are statements integrating as many as possible of the desired characters of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. EcoQOs are environmental milestones towards which HELCOM is working.

Indicators are used to condense complex monitoring data on the ecosystem into simple and understandable information. They are measurable phenomena reflecting the EcoQO statements: indicators are designed to show how the agreed EcoQOs are met.

Target values of indicators are based on reference values, representing undisturbed natural state, and an acceptable error margin. Target values are the indicator value we are aiming at and thus the criteria by which the performance of an EcoQO is judged.

Assessments will provide CPs with information not only on the indicators but clear guidelines what this means in relation to the agreed goals –the EcoQOs.

Policies regarding e.g. allowed nutrient inputs or spatial control of activities could be modified based on these assessments i.e. on the performance of these indicators.

This chain of logic can be presented in the ecosystem context by using the DPSIR model (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response), (Figure1.)

Thus, the HELCOM EcoQO project is ultimately about producing tools for revised HELCOM monitoring and assessment. The retroactive information about development has to be replaced by the more active information for development.

Ecosystem approach depicted using the DPSIR framework:

Human activities e.g. agriculture (Drivers)

cause e.g. nutrient input and elevated concentrations (Pressure)

affecting the e.g. frequency of algal blooms (State) resulting in closed swimming beaches and ecosystem changes (Impact)

The development can be changed by policy actions (Response).

There has to be agreed goals and assessment criteria (blue area with dark circle) as well as policy tools (brown area) if this general scheme is to be put to practice.