Ecosystem approach

Investment in sustainable ecosystem management can offer cost-effective solutions to reducing community vulnerability to disasters. Healthy ecosystems are beneficial to local populations for the many benefits and products they provide, whilst acting as natural buffers to hazard events for flood abatement, slope stabilization, coastal protection and avalanche protection.

This book follows applications of the Ecosystem Approach over a 5-10 year period in five locations. Key findings include the vital importance of a full stakeholder analysis, of market analysis and of the promotion of institutional evolution.

This publication is a collection of selected case studies representative of the application of the Ecosystem Approach under different ecological, social, economic and cultural contexts in Latin America.

La presente publicación recoge algunos de los estudios de caso y de las discusiones del taller, así como otras iniciativas presentadas por miembros de la UICN en la región con el objetivo de compartir estas experiencias en las reuniones preparatorias de la novena Conferencia de las Partes del CDB —la revisión del EE es uno de los temas principales de la agenda— y en el próximo Congreso de la Unión Mundial de la Naturaleza.

It is today widely acknowledged both by the development and conservation communities that a vital relationship exists between the sound management of ecosystems, the determinants of poverty and the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts. Although levels of vulnerability remain high in urban areas, the relationship is closer still in rural settings where the majority of poor remain largely dependent upon the productivity and sustainability of natural ecosystems.

Vulnerability to natural disasters continues to increase, severely compromising the achievement of poverty alleviation goals in many developing countries. A more effective approach is needed to reduce the impacts of these disasters. This publication proposes an approach that integrates ecosystem management, development planning and risk reduction strategies to reduce disaster impacts and improve both livelihoods and biodiversity outcomes.

El Enfoque Ecosistémico coloca a la gente y el uso de los recursos naturales como el punto de partarget_ida de la toma de decisiones. Es por esto que el Enfoque Ecosistémico puede ser utilizado para buscar un balance apropiado entre la conservación y el uso de la diversidad biológica en áreas en donde hay múltiples usuarios de los recursos y valores naturales importantes.