Ecological impact assessment framework

A number of EIA theorists believe in incorporating formal RA methods into EIA as a way to cope with uncertainties, especially in impact prediction where a formal framework for ecological risk assessment (EcoRA) is already developed. It includes three generic phases problem formulation, analysis, and risk characterization followed by risk management. The analysis phase includes an exposure assessment and an ecological effects assessment (see, e.g., US EPA (1998)). 

Schematic of the framework for ecological risk assessment (U.S. EPA1992). Especially important is the interaction between exposure and hazard and the inclusion of a data acquisition, verification, and monitoring component. Multivariate analyses will have a major impact on the selection or assessment and measurement endpoints and will play a major role in the data acquisition, verification, and monitoring phase.

The distinctive nature of the framework results primarily from three differences in emphasis relative to previous risk assessment approaches. First, ecological risk assessment can consider effects beyond those on individuals of a single species and may examine population, community, or ecosystem impacts. Second, there is no one set of assessment endpoints (environmental values to be protected) that can be generally applied. Rather, assessment endpoints are selected from a very large number of possibilities based on both scientific and policy considerations. Finally, a comprehensive approach to ecological risk assessment may go beyond the traditional emphasis on chemical effects to consider the possible effects of nonchemical stressors. 

Seppala, J., Basson, L., Norris, G.A. Decision analysis frameworks for life-cycle impact assessment. Journal of Industrial Ecology 5, 45-68 (2001) Shanks, G., Seddon, P. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Journal of Information Technology 15, 243-244 (2000)... 

Beanlands GE,DuinkerPN (1983) An ecological framework for environmental impact assessment in Canada. Institute for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, published in cooperation with Federal Environmental Assessment Review Office, Quebec... 

Peculiar industrial history and the geographic position of Karabash as a town of rather isolated local industry within the industrially saturated Urals region have made it an object of intensive ecological investigation in the framework of the international project The Assessment of Priorities for Middle Urals Environmental Pollution Prevention . The project was carried our under the aegis of the International Scientific and Technological Center (ISTC). One of the tasks of this project was to find out quantitative indicators of chemical impact of the local industry on the environment. 

Unique Whole Mixtures Many techniques are available to directly quantify total toxic impacts of mixtures. The risk assessment question in this case is related to the regulatory evaluation of emissions, like in the case of effluents, or it is related to the concept of good ecological status (GES), introduced in the EU Water Framework Directive (EU Directive 2000/60/EC). 

Houston ST, Doe WWIII, and Shaw RB, Environmental risk of army ranges and impact areas An ecological framework for assessment, Federal Facilities Environ. J., Spring, 93, 2001. 

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