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Defining concepts of ecosystem structure and function for UK marine monitoring 2008

Abstract

Concepts of ecosystem structure and function may be useful in designing an overall framework for UK marine monitoring, as they are concepts that are inherent within the ecosystem approach and may help us to consider underlying processes rather than monitoring at small spatial scales or of small ecological scope. There are significant challenges in understanding the ecosystem across different sectors and scales, and consideration of processes that link these elements may encourage integration. A wide range of different concepts of ecosystem structure and function exist.

This report documents the current debate on the use of the concepts of ecosystem structure and function to assist development of marine ecosystem monitoring in UK waters and delivery of the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS). It discusses a number of key questions, which can be broadly summarised as:

  • How are the concepts of ecosystem structure and function currently used in the context of marine monitoring, and what are the different approaches?
  • Do the concepts of structure and function provide a useful basis to develop a framework for monitoring marine ecosystems?
  • Can consensus be reached on which concepts of ecosystem structure and function are useful in practice to UK marine monitoring and applicable across different scales and sectors?

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2008·08·01

Citation
MRAG & UNEP-WCMC. 2008. Defining concepts of ecosystem structure and function for UK marine monitoring. JNCC Report No. 397, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report documents the debate on the use of the concepts of ecosystem structure and function to assist development of marine ecosystem monitoring in UK waters and delivery of the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2020·12·08

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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