wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group

204 APPENDIX 3APPENDIX 3CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY- ECOSYSTEM APPROACH –PRINCIPLESThe Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted an ecosystemapproach for the implementation of the objectives of the Convention. The Fifth Conferenceof the Parties in Kenya, 2000, recommended the application of the following principles (the“Malawi Principles”):Principle 1: The objectives of managementof land, water and living resources are a matterof societal choicesPrinciple 2: Management should bedecentralised to the lowest appropriate level.Principle 3: Ecosystem managers shouldconsider the effects (actual or potential) oftheir activities on adjacent and otherecosystems.Principle 4: Recognising potential gainsfrom management, there is usually a need tounderstand and manage the ecosystem in aneconomic context.Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystemstructure and functioning, in order tomaintain ecosystem services, should be apriority target of the ecosystem approach.Principle 6: Ecosystem must be managedwithin the limits of their functioning.Principle 7: The ecosystem approach shouldbe undertaken at the appropriate spatial andtemporal scales.temporal scales and lag-effects thatcharacterise ecosystem processes, objectivesfor ecosystem management should be set forthe long term.Principle 9: Management must recognise thatchange is inevitable.Principle10: The ecosystem approach shouldseek the appropriate balance between, andintegration of, conservation and use ofbiological diversity.Principle 11: The ecosystem approachshould consider all forms of relevantinformation, including scientific andindigenous and local knowledge, innovationsand practicesPrinciple 12: The ecosystem approachshould involve all relevant sectors of societyand scientific disciplines.The full text of the Principles (including therationale for each) is contained in UNEP 2000.Principle 8: Recognising the varying