Maybe I don't understand your question, because I'm sure you are aware that the standard approach to assessing the effects of projects on natural systems is spelled out in the National Environmental Protection Act and its implementing regulations. This has been in place since 1969 and many individual states have similar requirements.
For example, a state highway bridge project requires at least a biological evaluation to determine if there are potential effects on ecosystem components. If some of these effects might impinge on federal or state listed sensitive, threatened or endangered species or their habitats, biological and environmental assessments are done to determine if these effects are significant in terms of context (affected area) and magnitude. If this is the case, than an Environmental Impact Statement is required as a decision making document. That is an oversimplification, I know, but in my experience over the years this evaluation process has matured from a simple, species-based approach to a more rigorous and effective ecosystems-based approach. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, Oregon -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Cyril Egar Sent: Friday, 28 August, 2009 01:38 To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] ecosystem approach to project evaluations Most of us have read about systems approaches to management and more on the block now, ecosystem approach to management. I would like to know if there is anyone working on" Ecosystem approach to project evaluations" in order to share information on the subject. Hope lots of response will fly in.. Thanks in advance for your contributions. Cyril Egar MSc. Environmental Management Christian-Albrechts Uni-Kiel Tel: 017675593400
