Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure
and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem
services, should be a priority target of the
ecosystem approach.
Rationale:
Ecosystem functioning and resilience depends on a
dynamic relationship within species, among species
and between species and their abiotic environment, as
well as the physical and chemical interactions within
the environment. The conservation and, where
appropriate, restoration of these interactions and
processes is of greater significance for the long-term
maintenance of biological diversity than simply
protection of species.