Ecosystem Overview

The past decade has seen a shift in the management of natural resources toward a more holistic "ecosystem-based management" (EBM) approach. EBM involves participation of scientists, stakeholders and managers in a network that encompasses the linkages and the boundaries of ecosystems. Programs using integrated ecosystem approaches hold the most promise for reaching broad conservation, restoration, and sustainability goals.

The SLOSEA program provides an EBM framework for the Morro Bay Estuary and adjacent coastal zone. The six initiative areas provide the scientific data and tools that were largely unavailable before the program began. The program is intimately connected with two existing stakeholder groups, the Marine Interests Group of San Luis Obispo County and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, and encourages participation by all stakeholders. SLOSEA also benefits from participation by personnel from all relevant resource agencies in the ecosystem.

An Ecosystem Informational Brochure and an associated poster for Morro Bay have been developed by the Integration and Application Network, an initiative of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Click on a page of the brochure below to view it.

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Download Brochure (9MB)  |  Download Poster (10MB)