Key characteristics of bioregional management

Drawing from the elements and experience of Bioregionalism, Man and the Biosphere Program, International Conservation and Development Projects, Protected Area Management, and Ecosystem Management, 14 defining characteristics of bioregional management work can be identified:

1. Large, biotically viable regions--Bioregional management programs embrace regions large enough to include the habitats and ecosystem functions and processes needed to make biotic communities and populations ecologically viable over the long-term. These regions must be able to accomodate migratory patterns, anticipate nature's time cycles, and absorb the impacts of global change.

2. Leadership and management -- The leadership to establish bioregional programs may come from public agencies or from the community of residents and resource users. The tasks of convening stakeholders, preparing and negotiating vision statements, planning and implementing agreed-upon activities can be shared cooperatively between public and private entities, or fully community-based.

3. A structure of cores, corridors and matrices -- These programs include core wildland sites that feature representative samples of the region's characteristic biodiversity. Ideally such sites, which may already be designated as protected areas, are linked by corridors of natural or restored wild cover to permit migration and adaptation to global change. Both the core sites and corridors and nested within a matrix of mixed land uses and ownership patterns.

4. Economic sustainability -- The livelihoods of people living and working within the bioregion, including those in industry, and especially in the matrix, are encouraged. Appropriate incentives to make optimal use of local resources, and apply sustainable technologies, are combined with a system for sharing the costs and benefits of conservation and managed use fairly.

5. Full involvement of stakeholders -- All parties who can affect or benefit from the resources in the region develop skills, information, and opportunities to be fully involved in planning, and managing the bioregional program. Key here is building the local capacity to participate, negotiate, and perform the various tasks involved.

6. Social acceptance -- Any proposals for changes in the way of life and livelihoods for the residents and local peoples, including indigenous communities, need to be acceptable to them. All stakeholders warrant the opportunity to participate in program management and implementation.

7. Solid and comprehensive information -- All stakeholders have at their disposal the critical information needed to facilitate biodiversity management. Geographic Information System technology is used to help stakeholders envision their region and its distinctive features clearly. GIS also helps them model options and scenarios for the future.

8. Research and monitoring -- Research and inquiries focus on people/environment interactions, the development of innovative methods for managing natural resources, and the long-term monitoring of environmental factors and the impacts of management practices.

9. Use of knowledge -- Scientific, local, and traditional knowledge are employed in planning and management activities. Biology, anthropology, economics, engineering, and other related fields are tapped. Such knowledge helps stakeholders and program managers to anticipate nature's long and short cycles and to track global change.

10. Adaptive management -- Bioregional programs are operated on an experimental basis, from which lessons may be drawn from real-world experience to respond appropriately.

11. Restoration -- Where the viability of some habitats or ecological functions have been impaired through excessive or inappropriate use, then these areas are to be restored.

12. Cooperative skills development -- Communities and public and private organizations together locate and mobilize the skills, knowledge, and information needed to be able to manage the area.

13. Institutional integration -- Alliances with other institutions and with local organizations are forged to close gaps, minimize overlap, and make management and investment in the region more efficient.

14. International cooperation -- Because some ecosystems cross international boundaries and, in some cases, extend globally along animal-migration routes or along venues where endangered species are traded, international cooperation agreements for debate, mechanisms for joint research, information management, and investments are part of the biodiversity management program.