Ecosystem-based Indicators for Monitoring the Status of Rivers in Ghana

The ecosystem approach is a widely accepted framework for natural resource management and has been adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as the primary framework for action under the convention. The ecosystem approach, as defined by the CBD, is underpinned by a set of twelve principles and points of operational guidance that are intended to aid the implementation of the approach. However, these are overarching principles and implementing an ecosystem approach in practice requires practical tools for local managers and policy makers that embody the principles but are appropriate for the challenges faced at a local level. Here, we present a set of indicators, and a toolkit to aid their application, that are intended to support the implementation of the ecosystem approach in the management of riverine ecosystems in Ghana. The application of the indicators is illustrated using data gathered for the Densu, Ayensu and Birim catchments.