A perspective on successful implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to management and conservation in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Stuart A. Ludsin, Charles K. Minns, Mohiuddin Munawar, Peter J. Alsip, Angela L. Andrade, Donald F. Boesch, Caitriona Carter, Elizelle Juaneé Cilliers, Emmanuelle Cohen-Shacham, Francisco J. Escobedo, Kenneth T. Frank, William C. Leggett, Jason S. Link, Kerry A. Waylen. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 27(2):9-26 (2024).

Abstract

To celebrate the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a conference was held on the evolution of the Ecosystem Approach during the past half-century to learn how to enhance successful implementation of ecosystem-based approaches for resource management, conservation, and societal problems worldwide. Among several conference workshops, one focused on the origins and history of ecosystem approaches, which was attended by 14 researchers with global expertise in conservation biology, ecology, economics, ecosystem modeling, limnology, resource and ecosystem management, policymaking, political science, and social science. This paper presents insights gleaned from this workshop on key needs for and challenges to effective implementation of these approaches. We identified six categories of needs and challenges, spanning from the initial phases of Ecosystem Approach development (e.g. setting clear goals; fostering stakeholder buy-in) to the final ones (e.g. adapting to change; maintaining program support). Setting clear goals aligned with a shared vision was identified as most critical to successful implementation and offered the fewest barriers. By contrast, 1) accounting for poorly understood governance structures and navigating administrative constraints, 2) sustaining support, and 3) gaining stakeholder buy-in were viewed as the biggest three challenges. Overcoming these challenges was viewed as critical to success, thus helping us understand why effective implementation of ecosystem approaches has remained difficult globally. Sound science (and overcoming associated hurdles; e.g. breaking down disciplinary silos) and effective communication were also mentioned by some. Using these findings, we assess the state of ecosystem approaches in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, concluding with recommendations on how to promote their successful implementation inside and outside of the Basin.