Sea change: Participatory approaches in ecosystem services research to support sustainable marine management

verfasst von

Tinka Kuhn

Abstract

Healthy marine ecosystems are essential to global sustainability. They are crucial for human health and well-being, offering a plethora of ecosystem services (ES) that support various marine uses and enrich society. Climate change, alongside a myriad of anthropogenic activities, leads to ecosystem degradation and a subsequent decline in ES. Understanding the intricate relationships between ecosystem health, human actions, and ES supply is fundamental for crafting policies that promote sustainable marine management. Incorporating stakeholders into the research process ensures that scientific findings address specific needs, increasing their uptake and relevance for policy making.
This thesis offers a holistic perspective on the above. It acknowledges the mutual dependencies between anthropogenic activities, ecosystem robustness, ES supply, and marine policy effects. It sets forth two primary objectives: (1) To amplify omprehension of the extant knowledge on marine ES, particularly their impact on human health and well-being, and the interplay of marine uses and ES supply; 2) To evaluate transdisciplinary approaches, by assessing stakeholder involvement processes and identifying challenges in marine ES research. The thesis presents two participatory systematic evidence syntheses: one on marine and coastal ES research in the Baltic Sea, and another on the interplay between the Baltic Seas ecosystems and their impact on human health and well-being. Their methodological approach is explained in detail. The syntheses cover the current evidence base and spotlight research requirements. The participatory approach of three syntheses is described, outlining challenges and future recommendations. The thesis subsequently addresses a discerned research gap and contributes a study mapping and assessing marine ES. Here, the ES matrix approach is employed, forging a link between marine uses and the supply of ES in German marine territories.
As indicated, the findings emphasise the need for focused research to map and assess marine ES to support marine spatial planning and governance. Moreover, few studies bridge ES, their synergies, and trade-offs, with environmental status, human activities, health, and well-being. The thesis also examines the impact of marine uses on the spatial distribution of ES supply, underscoring the critical role of marine protected areas. Furthermore, cross-disciplinary collaboration and stakeholder integration are highlighted as essential. However, the plethora of definitions, terminologies, and the intricate nature of prevailing ES classifications were pinpointed as impediments to the seamless translation of scientific knowledge into policy. In conclusion, this thesis accentuates the potential of participatory approaches and robust knowledge translation for the effective conveyance of ES research insights to policy makers. Marine management can be optimised through evidence-based decision-making, fostering the vitality of marine ecosystems and, ultimately, the well-being of dependent human populations.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Umweltplanung

Typ

Dissertation

Anzahl der Seiten

162

Publikationsdatum

2024

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 14 – Lebensraum Wasser

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.15488/17964 (Zugang: Offen)