This document summarizes the findings of two working groups on using science to manage large marine ecosystems and open oceans. It identifies critical emerging science issues that require further study, such as climate change impacts, multiple stressors on ecosystems, and the effects of land-use and pollution. The document also discusses challenges in applying science to transboundary management through activities like TDAs, SAPs, and monitoring. It recommends establishing advisory groups, information systems, scientific conferences, and scientist-policymaker dialogues to better link science and adaptive management in support of the vision for large marine ecosystems and open oceans.

1. Improving the Use of Science
to Attain the Vision for
Large Marine Ecosystems and Open Oceans
Annadel S. Cabanban
Co-chair, Large Marine Ecosystems and
Open Ocean Working Group
GEF/UNEP/UNU-INWEH

3. I
IW Science Project – Learning Project
Findings of 2 Working Groups
Coastal Zone/Land-based Pollution Science and
Transboundary Management
Large Marine Ecosystem & the Open Ocean
Recommendations for further scientific investigation
Innovation for
advancing use of science

4. Methodology
Gather GEF IW project information – IW:Science
KMS
Prepare a Synopsis - extract and assimilate the
scientific underpinnings
Conduct an Analysis on:
critical emerging science issues & research needs
development and use of indicators
the application of science for adaptive management

5. 1. Critical Emerging Science Issues in
the IW Focal Area
2. Science for Adaptive
Management & Development
and Use of Indicators to support
IW Projects
Two Synthesis Reports from
20 Years of GEF IW Activities on:
1. Synopsis
2. Analysis
3.Synthesis

7. Bases for review
LBPS projects
LME OO – 46 LME and OO
Projects
Guided by list of questions

8. Adaptive Management – where
science is needed
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA)
Strategic Action Program (SAP)
SAP implementation
Monitoring

9. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
State of the LME
Drivers, Pressures
Institutions, laws, policies,
economic instruments
baseline
studies
operational
indicators:
process,
pressures
Strategic Action Program:
Vision Statement
Measurable Environmental
Objectives
emerging
issues
Regional/National Policy
Environmental Targets,
Spatial Planning
regular monitoring - all indicators
Status and trends
robust, quantitative
system state
indicators
Regulations and compliance
fast feedback loop
Slowfeedbackloop
methods

10. Findings – on use of science
Scientific results not fully documented, disseminated
Targeted research needed
Applied research for management

11. Critical Issues, not yet studied
in detail
Climate change
adaptation, acidification,
atmospheric change
Multiple stressors, tipping-
points, resilience of
ecosystems

12. Critical issues raised,
but not dealt with in large-scale
Impact of improper land-use and unregulated
development
Causes of harmful algal blooms and nutrient ratio
changes
Invasive species and diseases, ballast waters, illegal
transport and aquaculture

13. Anticipated, emerging issues
Plastic, microfiber pollution
Lifestyle chemicals (and nano-particles)
Deep-sea fishing
Seamount habitat destruction (conservation)
Marine renewable energy, carbon capture and storage
Exploitation of methane hydrates and environmental
impacts
Underwater sound

14. eeeeee
HUMAN SYSTEMS
WELFARE
change, attributable
to change in STATE
RESPONSE
an initiative to reduce
at least 1 impact
DRIVER
Activity or process intended to
improve human welfare
PRESSURE
Means by which 1 DRIVER causes or
contributes to a change in STATE
STATE
Specific attribute of the natural
environment that reflects its
integrity
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
impacts

15. Challenges in LME
management
Issues and scales – land to
ocean
Most environmental
problems are ‘wicked’
Actions are local and
national
Institutionalizing applied
sciences
Building constituency to
promote changes in behavior
Poor resource allocation

16. Science to Policy Bridges:
adaptive management
Environmental problems are multi-faceted, have
multiple causes, unknown tipping-points
Solutions are multi-disciplinary, including natural
science, behavioral science, social sciences, economics

17. Recommendations
1. establishing a scientific advisory group;
2. establishing integrated information
management system;
3. conducting regional scientific conferences;
4. conducting dialogues between scientists
and policy-makers

18. Innovation to advance science
Public-Private Partnerships
Payment for Ecosystem
Services
Corporate Social
Responsibility

19. Thank You