How to apply an ecosystem approach
Discover key actions and tools to help you apply an ecosystem approach and thus improve decision-making to sustain nature’s benefits.
Key actions in applying an ecosystem approach
- Take account of how nature works. Nature (ecosystems) connects across landscapes so we must consider the broad scale as well as the local. Ecosystems don’t have an infinite capacity to respond to impacts and provide benefits. And they’re dynamic, so we must allow for change and make use of new information.
- Take account of the benefits (ecosystem services) that nature provides people. These range from food and water to flood and climate control, recreation and mental well-being.
- Involve people in decision-making – both those who benefit from nature and those who manage land, freshwater and sea.
The Scottish Government’s push to empower communities to look after local natural heritage assets firmly supports this last action.
Tools for applying an ecosystem approach
You can use existing tools such as marine and development plans, environmental assessment, cost-benefit analysis and participation.
New tools are also being developed to:
- map ecosystem services
- quantify the value of these ecosystem services to people
- analyse trade-offs between different options for achieving objectives
The Ecosystems Knowledge Network provides a Tool Assessor, which can tell you about tools used to analyse the environment.
NatureScot has worked with others to help people include cultural ecosystem services when applying an ecosystem approach. Read our working paper on this topic below.
We’ve also prepared an overview of tools, examples and guidance to help marine planners apply an ecosystem approach.
Read: An ecosystem approach to marine planning – a summary of selected tools, examples and guidance
You may also wish to view and download our ecosystem approach case studies.
Evaluation framework
Our framework enables you to evaluate policies, strategies, plans or projects that seek to apply the ecosystem approach. It is useful whether you wish to assess new work or review current work.
Read: An evaluation framework for applying the ecosystem approach
Other resources
To find datasets you can use to map and assess ecosystem services, explore the Land Use Data Directory on the Scottish Government website.
Find further guidance and tools for applying an ecosystem approach on the Ecosystems Knowledge Network website.
Stakeholder engagement means working with a new language to understand and value the natural world. Organisations can view Using ecosystem services in public engagement and dialogue on the natural environment on the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) website.
The Scottish Government Land Use Strategy promotes an ecosystem approach to land use. Read more about this in:
- Applying an ecosystems approach to land use: Information note
- Making the most of communities’ natural assets: green infrastructure – An information note for Community Planning Partnerships on applying an ecosystems approach
The latter note shows how development and design plans, and delivery of services, can make better use of land to maximise ecosystem services for communities.
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