An Ecological Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been plagued over its almost 15-year history by very sporadic application of ecological principles and by generally weak scientific approaches. A 2-year Canadian study recently examined these problems and investigated possible solutions through a series of 10 technical workshops held across the country. The results show that the EIA community is capable of much more rigorous and productive applications of the science of ecology in impact assessment studies. The findings of the study are presented in four main categories: (1) basic scientific considerations important in EIA, (2) some improvements from an ecological perspective, (3) a set of requirements for organizing and conducting ecological impact studies, and (4) recommendations on institutional initiatives for improving the practice of ecological science in EIA. There is growing evidence that the recommendations arising from the study are already being implemented in Canada. 14 references.