The decision to adopt an ecosystems approach will usually be based on an assessment
of whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages (Box 3.2). As many institutions
are commodity or service orientated, rather than ecosystem orientated, data collection
and personnel training may need changing. A commodity or service orientation may be
fine if the goal is to maximise production of a single product or service; it is less satisfactory
where the ecosystem yields several ‘products’, and it is important to know
hazards, limits and opportunities (Box 3.3).