The Ecosystem Approach in MSP: options and challenges by Kerstin Schiele, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde Biological Oceanography at the workshop 'Applying ecosystem approach (HELCOM-VASAB)' at the 2nd Baltic Maritime Spatial Planning Forum in Riga, Latvia on 23-24 November 2016 (the final conference of the Baltic SCOPE collaboration). Video and other presentations - www.balticscope.eu www.vasab.org

1. Kerstin Schiele
W 2/2 Applying ecosystem
approach
Warnemünde Biological Oceanography
(HELCOM-VASAB)
#BalticMSP
The Ecosystem Approach in
MSP: options and
challenges
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research

2. Kerstin Schiele, Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde
HELCOM-VASAB MSP-Forum, 24. Nov 2016, Riga
The Ecosystem Approach in marine spatial
planning: options and challenges

3. „The ecosystem approach can therefore be defined as‚ the comprehensive
integrated management of human activities based on the best available
scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to
identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of
marine ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods
and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity‘. The application of the
precautionary principle is equally a central part of the ecosystem approach.“
HELCOM and OSPAR 2003
Ecosystem approach - EA
Aim: health and integrity of ecosystems, sustainable use
condition: respecting carrying capacity of ecosystems
Set screws: human activities

4. Ecosystem approach - EA
Marine management context
source aim approach
• CBD
• OSPAR,
HELCOM
• ICES
• ICZM
• MSFD
• MSP-FD
Protecting biodiversity
Sustainable use,
integrity of ecosystems
Sustainable use
Sustainable development
Good environmental status
Sustainable growth
Malawi Principles
Managing human activities,
Precautionary principle
Research, consulting
Stakeholder engagement
Measures, cumulative effects
Marine spatial planning

5. Ecosystem approach - EA
Marine management context
source aim approach
• CBD
• OSPAR,
HELCOM
• ICES
• ICZM
• MSFD
• MSP-FD
Protecting biodiversity
Sustainable use,
integrity of ecosystems
Sustainable use
Sustainable development
Good environmental status
Sustainable growth
Malawi Principles
Managing human activities,
Precautionary principle
Research, consulting
Stakeholder engagement
Measures, cumulative effects
Marine spatial planning

6. EA – role in marine spatial planning
economic
social
ecological
economic
social
ecological
= EA
respecting
ecosystem
carrying
capacity = EA
- Confusion about understanding of EA in MSP
- Carrying capacity often not explicit
2 competing views

7. EA in marine spatial planning
Data / knowledge Planning process
translation

8. Schiele et al. (2014) Germany
Denmark
- Biological data & abiotic predictor variables
Germany
Dänemark
Schiele et al. 2015
Denmark
Biotope map of the German Baltic Sea
Challenges: from point data to full spatial coverage

9. Challenges and options
Data / knowledge
-spatial data required vs. point data collected
-> environmental modelling
-too little information, spatial resolution too coarse
-> expand data collection
-knowledge gaps: cumulative effects, ecosystem functioning
-> research, precautionary principle!, ecosystem services

10. Challenges and options
Planning process
-Nature conservation claims rather weak in MSP
 Strengthen position of conservation needs for ecosystem integrity
-little feedback loops in planning and environmental assessment
 Bring results from lower planning levels back
-transparency & integration
 Process of decision-making public

11. EA in marine spatial planning
holistic knowledge
about ecosystems
Integrative planning
as ongoing process
vision
http://easyscienceforkids.com Plattner et al. 2009

12. EA in marine spatial planning
Data / knowledge
- protected and representative species, habitats: distribution, connectivity
- Identify sensitivities of species, consider needs for buffer zones
- translate into spatial claims and conditions for usage and activities
- Set priorities for nature conservation
- Communicate room to negotiate
- Consider cumulative effects
- Consider Ecosystem services
- Identify carrying capacity/limits of ecosystems
- Holistic understanding of ecosystems: processes, functions, interdependencies
- Consider scenarios of future development and probabilities

13. EA in marine spatial planning
Planning process
- Implementation of HELCOM-VASAB principles and guidelines
- EA as general vision/ aim in MSP processes
- Include areas for nature conservation in MSP plans
- Include data on all activities in the planning process: e.g. fisheries, mining
- Plan free space
- Transparency of data basis, stakeholder participation and consideration
- Compliance with nature conservation priorities
- Binding compliance with carrying capacity/ limits of ecosystems

14. Way forward example
Data / knowledge Planning process
translation
Identify and illustrate
spatial claims of protected
and representative species
and habitats
Analyse sensitivities of
protected and
representative species and
habitats
developing planning
options for human
activities and use of
space in compliance
with conservation
needs, e.g. spatial
claims, sensitivities
basis to integrate nature
conservation needs in
marine spatial planning
processes
Project FABENA
2015-2017

15. Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Building wind farm
foundations
- during absence of
harbour porpoise
- use technical noise
protection
- buffer zones to
sensitive areas
Project FABENA
2015-2017
© ITAW
Noise
sensitive
species
RWE.com
spatial claims in the
German North Sea

16. summary
holistic knowledge
about ecosystems
Integrative planning
as ongoing process
Vision
http://easyscienceforkids.com Plattner et al. 2009

17. summary
Way forward: first steps
-> include nature conservation in planning
• Identify occurrence and distribution
• Consider sensitivities
• illustrate spatial claims
• Legal implementation

18. Thank you
Dr. Kerstin Schiele
Leibniz Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW)
kerstin.schiele@io-warnemuende.de
Phone: +49 381 5197 423
Fax: +49 381 5197 211
funded