Integrated Socio-ecological Systems Approach

No two wetlands are identical, both in terms of their ecology and ecosystem services, and the ways in which human interact with them. The Socio-ecological Systems approach to wetland management offers a framework for understanding the complexity of human-wetland interactions and their dynamic and adaptive interrelationships. Understanding how individual human-wetland systems evolve, adapt and are resilient to shocks and pressures, is fundamental to sustainable wetland management that balances livelihood development with the maintenance of ecosystem services.