Ecosystem-based management is an integrated organizational approach to decision making that considers an entire ecological community, including humans to create a sound blueprint for the near and long-term ecological health and development.

New York State, in an effort to protect its coastlines, including the Great Lakes, and manage its resources passed the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act in 2006 creating the Ecosytem Conservation Council to promote the restoration, protection and enhancement of New York's ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems, while promoting sustainable and competitive economic development and job creation. The GLRC and scientists from around the state will be assisting in defining an adaptive ecosystem-based management approach to protect these valuable resources, while still ensuring that community needs and aspirations are being accomodated.

The initial research priorities are available in a report with appendices submitted to the NYS Ecosystem Council.

New York State Research Priorities

Appendices to report

National Examples of Ecosystem-based Management:

Gulf of Mexico Action Plant

California Ocean and Coastal information_Strategy.pdf

US Oceans Research Strategy