'Clear and comprehensive description of the ecosystem approach as a conceptual framework and its use in guiding marine planning and management. Sets out how to develop adaptive approaches to accommodate change, using practical examples from the UK and overseas' James Marsden, Director Marine, Natural England 'Ecosystem services provide the fundamental base for a sustainable economy, and for addressing the consequences of anthropogenic and natural drivers like climate change and habitat fragmentation. This text provides a fascinating overview of the challenges we face in marine ecosystem management and how these can be addressed in an interdisciplinary framework and with the help of methodological pluralism.' Pushpam Kumar, Chief, Ecosystem Services Economics Unit, UNEP, Nairobi 'This book is a valuable addition to recent texts on spatial planning and the ecosystem approach to marine management, providing a transdisciplinary, European outlook in clear language. The strong relationship between human societies and the sea, and hence the need to engage all relevant sectors of society in decision making, are stressed throughout. It is a stimulating read for experts in relevant fields for further enhancing their understanding of the EA to marine management and for exploring the challenges ahead' Prof. Erdal Uzhan, President, Mediterranean Coastal Foundation (MEDCOAST)