The term "ecosystem management" was formalized in 1992 by F. Dale Robertson, former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Robertson stated, "By ecosystem management, we mean an ecological approach... [that] must blend the needs of people and environmental values in such a way that the National Forests and Grasslands represent diverse, healthy, productive and sustainable ecosystems."

A variety of additional definitions of ecosystem management exist. For example, Robert T. Lackey