ABSTRACT
Th e RAP process, where successful, clearly embraces the ecosystem approach. Here, the ecosystem approach is based on the man-in-system concept rather than a system-external-to-man concept (IJC 1978), where the ecosystem is composed of the interacting elements of water, air, land and living organisms including man. While Lee et al. (1982) discuss several variants of the ecosystem approach, most share a focus on the responsiveness of ecological systems to natural and human activities, and a readiness to strike a programmatic compromise between detailed understanding and more comprehensive holistic meaning. Th is fl exible pragmatism is perhaps the most productive feature for addressing Great Lakes environmental problems. As the Parties conclude their renegotiation of a revised GLWQA (anticipated for 2012) the ability to learn from the past on what has worked, what has not worked and why, should inform a renovation to Annex 2, and enhance place-based engagement and implementation for Great Lakes regeneration. By learning from doing, evaluating limitations and opportunities, we can collectively make the Lakes Great.
