Ecosystem Approach (EcAp)

Overview

The Barcelona Convention describes the ecosystem approach, as defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as

“a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.”

This approach goes beyond examining single issues, species or ecosystem functions in isolation. Instead, it recognises ecological systems for what they are: complex and dynamic combinations of elements that continuously interact with one another.

The Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) also recognises that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems. It therefore aims to improve the sustainability of the management of human activities for the protection of the marine and coastal environment.

This short-animated film presents the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean (also available in French).

Adoption of the Ecosystem Approach under the Barcelona Convention

At the 15th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 15), held in Almeria, Spain, in January 2008, the Contracting Parties agreed to progressively apply the Ecosystem Approach to the management of human activities that may affect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment, in order to promote sustainable development.

They adopted a common vision for the Mediterranean:

“A healthy Mediterranean with marine and coastal ecosystems that are productive and biologically diverse for the benefit of present and future generations.”

With the adoption of the EcAp strategy and its seven-step roadmap, the Contracting Parties committed to implementing the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean, with the ultimate objective of achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) of the Mediterranean Sea and its coast.

Ecological Objectives under the EcAp

Good Environmental Status is defined through eleven Ecological Objectives (EOs) and corresponding operational objectives. Progress towards their achievement is monitored through a set of common indicators for the Mediterranean (Decisions IG.20/4 and IG.21/3).

The Ecological Objectives are as follows:

EO1 Biological diversity: Biological diversity is maintained or enhanced. The quality and occurrence of coastal and marine habitats and the distribution and abundance of coastal and marine species are in line with prevailing physiographic, hydrographic, geographic and climatic conditions;
EO2 Non-indigenous species: Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystem;
EO3 Harvest of Commercially exploited fish and shellfish: Populations of selected commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within biologically safe limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock;
EO4 Marine food webs: Alterations to components of marine food webs caused by resource extraction or human-induced environmental changes do not have long-term adverse effects on food web dynamics and related viability;
EO5 Eutrophication: Human-induced eutrophication is prevented, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters;
EO6 Sea floor integrity: Sea-floor integrity is maintained, especially in priority benthic habitats;
EO7 Hydrography: Alteration of hydrographic conditions does not adversely affect coastal and marine ecosystems;
EO8 Coastal ecosystems and landscapes: The natural dynamics of coastal areas are maintained, and coastal ecosystems and landscapes are preserved;
EO9 Contaminants: Contaminants cause no significant impact on coastal and marine ecosystems and human health;
EO10 Marine litter: Marine and coastal litter do not adversely affect coastal and marine environment; and
EO11 Energy including Underwater noise: Noise from human activities cause no significant impact on marine and coastal ecosystems.

SPA/RAC’s work focuses in particular on five Ecological Objectives: EO1, EO2, EO3, EO4 and EO6.

The Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP)

At their 19th Ordinary Meeting (COP 19, Athens, Greece, February 2016), the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention adopted the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and Related Assessment Criteria (IMAP) (Decision IG.22/7).

IMAP describes the strategy, themes and products that Mediterranean countries aim to deliver in order to assess the status of the Mediterranean Sea and coastal areas. It provides a common basis for the development of further and/or strengthened measures, management plans and programmes.

IMAP is reviewed every six years. The first assessment based on IMAP was delivered in 2017 in the form of the 2017 Mediterranean Quality Status Report (2017 MED QSR).

MEDITERRANEAN QUALITY STATUS REPORT

The MEDITERRANEAN QUALITY STATUS REPORT is an important MAP flagship publication for assessing the status of the Mediterranean ecosystem and the achievement of Good Environmental Status.

Access

Supporting the implementation of the EcAp

Successive projects funded by the European Union (EU) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have supported the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean.

In addition, the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) by EU countries in the Mediterranean offers important opportunities for applying the EcAp across the region, ensuring that the MSFD and the EcAp reinforce each other while avoiding duplication of activities and obligations.

EcAp governance

The implementation of the Ecosystem Approach relies on an established governance structure.

The EcAp Coordination Group

The EcAp Coordination Group (EcAp CG), composed of MAP Focal Points, the Coordinating Unit, MAP Components and MAP Partners, oversees the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach. It identifies gaps in progress in implementing the roadmap and proposes feasible solutions to advance the EcAp agenda.

Correspondence Groups

Three Correspondence Groups support the work of the EcAp Coordination Group:

CORGEST – Correspondence Group on GES and Targets, focusing on in-depth discussions and analysis of all Ecological Objectives across three clusters: Biodiversity and Fisheries, Coast and Hydrography and Pollution and marine litter..
CORMON – Correspondence Group on Monitoring, addressing integrated monitoring and assessment across the same three clusters, building on the work of CORGEST.
CORESA – Correspondence Group on Economic and Social Analysis, coordinated by UNEP/MAP and Plan Bleu/RAC, developing socio-economic analyses of marine ecosystem uses in priority sectors.