Adaptive Management: a Science-based Approach to Managing Ecosystems in the Face of Uncertainty

Adaptive management is a systematic approach for improving environmental management by learning from management outcomes. We believe that protected areas management can benefit greatly from this approach which allows management to proceed despite uncertainty, and reduces this uncertainty through a systematic process for learning. We describe this approach as a six-stage process: problem assessment, experimental design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and management adjustment. For each stage we provide some examples for protected areas management, and outline some of the real world constraints which must be considered. However, adaptive management is more than just a procedure; it also requires curiosity, innovation, courage to admit uncertainty, and a commitment to learning.