The purpose of this Discussion Platform is to stimulate discussion on all matters related to ecosystem management.

The platform is accessible for registered members (not registered?) and aims to stimulate the flow and exchange of ideas and information related to relevant approaches, best practice, benchmarking and practical experience related to ecosystem management.

The emphasis is on the dependence of human wellbeing on ecosystems services and the need to better describe, quantify and value (ecologically, culturally and economically) the importance and benefits of the goods and services provided by ecosystems and biodiversity. Ideally, aim of the platform is to contribute to the objective of the IUCN CEM theme on ecosystem services:

"To improve the knowledge base on ecosystem services and values and stimulate the integration of this knowledge in planning and decision making for sustainable Ecosystem Management through development of case studies, guidelines, and dissemination."

Some key questions which members might like to discuss in the forum are as follows:

 

1.		To what extent are ecosystems able to provide goods and services in a sustainable way and how can we measure the effects of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss?
2.		How can we measure the importance (value) of ecosystem services, not only economically but also take account of ecological and cultural values and perceptions?
3.		How can we identify the users/beneficiaries of ecosystem services and involve them in structural financial streams to maintain ecosystems and their services?
4.		How can we communicate the knowledge on ecosystem services and values to decision makers and the general public and thus build local and political support?
5.		How can we convince (potential) donors that benefits of conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems usually outweigh the costs?

These are just a few initial areas in which interested members are invited to contribute their own comments or views. Of course, discussion need not be limited to the above questions.

We encourage you to use this platform to its full potential and hope it will be useful in furthering ideas on the development of ecosystem services in management as a process for ensuring the sustainable and equitable use of ecosystems.

Go to Discussion Platform (you will be asked to log-in with your username and password)

Questions or comments can directed to matt.zylstra@fsd.nl

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