Core Element 8: Network of People and Information
Ecosystem-based management (EBM) requires interaction among the full spectrum of organizations and individuals who have a stake in the focal geographic area. Collaboratively, they learn about people’s values, define a vision for the place’s future, agree on broad goals for nature’s services, and take complementary action toward these goals. They support and participate actively in a communication network for sharing EBM information and ideas for the geographic area.
Focus Questions
- Who are the individuals and groups with a direct or indirect interest in using, appreciating, or sustaining nature’s services from the focal area?
- How can these individuals and organizations interact to define a vision for the future and to pursue goals for sustaining nature’s services?
- How can they establish, support, and participate in an EBM network that facilitates communication of information, ideas, and viewpoints among diverse individuals and organizations?
Learn More
Listed below are selected resources for learning about and implementing this Core Element of EBM. The list is far from comprehensive and highlights only a few especially useful examples.
Case Studies
West Coast Ecosystem-Based Management Network
The West Coast Ecosystem-Based Management Network is a partnership of six community-based initiatives focused on the successful implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) along the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California.
Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network
The LMMA Network is a group of marine conservation practitioners working in Asia and the Pacific who have joined together to increase the success of their efforts.
SLOSEA
The San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance (SLOSEA) is an integrated group of scientists, resource managers and stakeholders studying and supporting marine resources on the California Central Coast.
Chesapeake Information Management System
The Chesapeake Information Management System (CIMS) is an organized, distributed library of information and software tools designed to increase basin-wide public access to Chesapeake Bay information.
North Slope Science Initiative
The North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI) is an intergovernmental effort to increase collaboration at the local, state, and federal levels to address research, inventory, and monitoring needs related to development activities on the North Slope of Alaska.
Puget Sound Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership is a community effort of citizens, governments, tribes, scientists and businesses working together to restore and protect Puget Sound.
Gulf of Maine Science Translation Project
With funding from state and federal agencies, this 5-year project accelerated the transfer of scientific findings and techniques to resource managers, planners, policy makers, and other coastal decision-makers in the region.
Tools
Keypad polling systems
These integrated hardware-software systems are a user-friendly, engaging way to gather the opinions and priorities of stakeholders during meetings.
Connection with other Core Elements (CEs) of EBM
CE1:Nature's Services, CE2:Scientific Evidence, CE3:Geographic Scales, CE4:Ecological Linkages, CE5:Cumulative Impacts, CE6:Tradeoffs Among Human Activities, CE7:Adaptive Management
A network spanning multiple geographic scales (CE3) is essential for sharing information on CE1,2,3,5,6 and for implementing adaptive management (CE7).