Stakeholders Participation and Feedback Mechanisms: Basic Concepts and Methods of Soft Systems Thinking and Participatory Approach

Biodiversity in the marine environment continues to decline and human activities are at the centre of this destructive evolution. Due to the interdependency that exists between the ecosystem resources and its users, successful implementation of ecosystem-based management depends on the identification and understanding of different stakeholders, and their practices, expectations and interests. Today, many scientists and resource managers agree that the involvement of stakeholders is a key factor for a successful management regime in aquatic ecosystems. The need for well structured feedback mechanisms and means of communication between stakeholders is an encouraging driving force to enhance level of participation at all stages of any management plan. This book drows up on the impact of stakeholders participation and viable feedback mechanisms in the management of Baltic Sea environmental problems.It specifically responds to the importance and influence of stakeholders involved in the BSAP adoption and implementation.Therefore, decisionmakers, environmentalists, NGOs and researchers should be the principal beneficiaries of this book.