“And DPSIR begat DAPSI(W)R(M)!” - A unifying framework for marine environmental management

The marine environment is a complex system formed by interactions between ecological structure and functioning, physico-chemical processes and socio-economic systems. An increase in competing marine uses and users requires a holistic approach to marine management which considers the environmental, economic and societal impacts of all activities. If managed sustainably, the marine environment will deliver a range of ecosystem services which lead to benefits for society. In order to understand the complexity of the system, the DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) approach has long been a valuable problem-structuring framework used to assess the causes, consequences and responses to change in a holistic way. Despite DPSIR being used for a long time, there is still confusion over the definition of its terms and so to be appropriate for current marine management, we contend that this confusion needs to be addressed. Our viewpoint advocates that DPSIR should be extended to DAPSI(W)R(M) (pronounced dap-see-worm) in which Drivers of basic human needs require Activities which lead to Pressures. The Pressures are the mechanisms of State change on the natural system which then leads to Impacts (on human Welfare). Those then require Responses (as Measures). Furthermore, because of the complexity of any managed sea area in terms of multiple Activities, there is the need for a linked-DAPSI(W)R(M) framework, and then the connectivity between marine ecosystems and ecosystems in the catchment and further at sea, requires an interlinked, nested-DAPSI(W)R(M) framework to reflect the continuum between adjacent ecosystems. Finally, the unifying framework for integrated marine management is completed by encompassing ecosystem structure and functioning, ecosystem services and societal benefits. Hence, DAPSI(W)R(M) links the socio-ecological system of the effects of changes to the natural system on the human uses and benefits of the marine system. However, to deliver these sustainably in the light of human activities requires a Risk Assessment and Risk Management framework; the ISO-compliant Bow-Tie method is used here as an example. Finally, to secure ecosystem health and economic benefits such as Blue Growth, successful, adaptive and sustainable marine management Responses (as Measures) are delivered using the 10-tenets, a set of facets covering all management disciplines and approaches

The management of nutrients and potential eutrophication in estuaries and other restricted water bodies

Conceptual models are derived to indicate the signs and symptoms inherent in nutrient changes to brackish, estuarine and coastal areas of restricted circulation. These give a structured approach to detecting adverse symptoms of hypernutrification and eutrophication at all levels of biological organisation, from effects at cellular levels to the ecosystem approach. The conceptual models illustrate the bottom-up approaches to the detection and control of potential problems and the importance of top-down responses. The bottom-up approaches incorporate mechanisms with regard to inputs, retention of nutrients, biogeochemical cycling and the primary production response. The top-down approaches include the detection of responses in high-profile components of the marine system, such as fisheries, sea mammals and wading birds and seabirds, which are often of paramount socio-economic or conservation importance. The management of the above causes and consequences, and following from the adoption by signatories to proposals given by the Paris Commission (PARCOM), can be accomplished by the derivation of Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQO) and Ecological Quality Standards (EcoQS). These are given here as a development from the Environmental Quality Objectives and Standards (EQO/EQS) approach. Such EcoQO and EcoQS are regarded as as an aid to monitoring and management of estuaries and coastal waters. That management includes recent proposals within European legislation aimed at monitoring and managing the health and integrity of coasts and estuaries, for example the implementation of the Nitrates, Species & Habitats, and Water Framework Directives. The paper, therefore, discusses both the quality and quantity of data involved in the science required by managers and the way ahead for assessing and managing the fate and effects of nutrients. Using European and U. S. examples, the paper introduces the major challenge of how the concerns highlighted can be addressed by policy action