Implementing ecosystem management concepts at multiple organizational levels

The incorporation of ecological principles in: organizational management, strategic planning, and tactical options for field level analyses and decision-making is essential for implementing ecosystem management approaches. Ecosystem management evolved in response to changing knowledge and the expectations of society in addressing issues associated with sustainable environmental management. Simply put, ecosystem management represents the best set of natural resource management tools we have available. It is neither the beginning nor the end of any particular philosophy, discipline, or process. It does represent the current stage of evolution of the paradigm used by scientists and resource managers to view, understand and mange the interactions of humans and the environment they occupy. Ecosystem management requires that key concepts and principles be applied at several "levels" in order to fully develop and support the approach. Successful organizations and institutions, like successful organisms, must adapt, change, and respond to shifting conditions. Perhaps our greatest challenge is to be adaptive professionally, institutionally and operationally to ecosystem management principles.