A risk-based approach to cumulative effect assessments for marine management
- Author(s)
- V. Stelzenmüller, M. Coll, A.D. Mazaris, S. Giakoumi, S. Katsanevakis, M.E. Portman, R. Degen, P. Mackelworth, A. Gimpel, P.G. Albano, V. Almpanidou, J. Claudet, F. Essl, T. Evagelopoulos, J.J. Heymans, T. Genov, S. Kark, F. Micheli, M.G. Pennino, G. Rilov, B. Rumes, J. Steenbeek, H. Ojaveer
- Abstract
Marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the cumulative effects of multiple human pressures. Cumulative effect assessments (CEAs) are needed to inform environmental policy and guide ecosystem-based management. Yet, CEAs are inherently complex and seldom linked to real-world management processes. Therefore we propose entrenching CEAs in a risk management process, comprising the steps of risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation. We provide guidance to operationalize a risk-based approach to CEAs by describing for each step guiding principles and desired outcomes, scientific challenges and practical solutions. We reviewed the treatment of uncertainty in CEAs and the contribution of different tools and data sources to the implementation of a risk based approach to CEAs. We show that a risk-based approach to CEAs decreases complexity, allows for the transparent treatment of uncertainty and streamlines the uptake of scientific outcomes into the science-policy interface. Hence, its adoption can help bridging the gap between science and decision-making in ecosystem-based management.
- Organisation(s)
- Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Palaeontology, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
- External organisation(s)
- Thünen-Institute of Sea Fisheries, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Université Côte d'Azur, University of Queensland, University of the Aegean, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Université de recherche Paris Sciences et Lettres, Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Scottish Association for Marine Science, University of Primorska, Stanford University, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Ecopath International Initiative, University of Tartu
- Journal
- Science of the Total Environment
- Volume
- 612
- Pages
- 1132-1140
- No. of pages
- 9
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.289
- Publication date
- 01-2018
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106003 Biodiversity research
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pollution, Waste Management and Disposal, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 14 - Life Below Water
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/515ae7c3-b4b4-4529-a906-037aa8a047bd