Evaluation of Integrated Ecological-Economic Models - Review and Challenges for Implementation

Abstract

In order to fulfill society's intensifying and diversifying needs whilst ensuring ecologically sustainable development, more effective marine spatial planning and broader-scopemanagement of marine resources is necessary. Integrated ecological–economic models (IEEM) of marine systemsare needed to evaluate potential management actions and understand, and anticipate ecological, economic, and social dynamics at a range of scales from local to national and regional. To make these models most effective, itis important to determine how model characteristics and methods of communicating resultsinfluence the nature of the advice that can be provided and the impact on decisions taken by managers. This paper presents a global review and comparative evaluation of IE EM applied tomarine fisheries and marine ecosystem resources to identify the characteristics that determine their usefulness and effectiveness