This book charts the history of the application of science in environmental impact assessment (EIA) and provides a conceptual and technical overview of scientific developments associated with EIA since its inception in the early 1970s.
The Application of Science in Environmental Impact Assessment begins by defining an appropriate role for science in EIA. From here it goes on to reflect more closely on empirical and deductive biophysical sciences as they relate to well-known stages of the generic EIA process and explores whether scientific theory and practice are at their vanguard in EIA and related applications. Throughout the book the authors reflect on biophysical science as it applies to stages of the EIA process and also consider debates surrounding the role of science as it relates to political and administrative dimensions of EIA. Based on this review, the book concludes that improvements to the quality of science in EIA will rely on the adoption of stronger participatory and collaborative working arrangements.
Covering key topics including foundational scientific guidance materials; frameworks for implementing science amid conflict and uncertainty; and emerging ecological concepts, this book will be of great interest to students, scholars and practitioners of EIA.
Author(s): Aaron J. MacKinnon, Peter N. Duinker, Tony R. Walker
Series: Routledge Focus on Environment and Sustainability
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 142
City: London
Cover
Title
Copyright
Contents
List of abbreviations
1 Introduction
1.1 Problem and context
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Approach, scope, and outline
2 Methods
3 Conceiving a role for science in EIA
3.1 Science and politics
3.2 Science inside and science outside
3.3 Science, politics, and administration
4 Foundations of science in EIA
4.1 Early EIA methods
4.2 Challenges from the scientific community
4.3 First generation scientific guidance
4.4 Provisions for scoping
4.5 Second generation scientific guidance
5 Beyond traditional science
5.1 Adaptive management
5.2 Post-normal science
5.3 Transdisciplinary imagination
5.4 Citizen science
6 Emerging concepts for science in EIA
6.1 Resilience
6.2 Thresholds
6.3 Complexity
6.4 Landscape ecology
6.5 Biodiversity
6.6 Sustainability
6.7 Climate change
6.8 Ecosystem services
7 Science in the EIA process
7.1 Scoping
7.1.1 Overview
7.1.2 Alternatives
7.1.3 VECs
7.1.4 Indicators
7.1.5 Boundaries
7.1.6 Drivers
7.2 Ecological characterization
7.2.1 Overview
7.2.2 Mobilizing science outside EIA
7.2.2.1 Functional relationships
7.2.2.2 Parameters and process studies
7.2.3 Data collection inside EIA
7.2.3.1 Field surveys
7.2.3.2 Local, traditional, and aboriginal knowledge
7.2.3.3 Integrating field surveys and traditional knowledge
7.3 Cause-effect research
7.3.1 Need for cause-effect knowledge inside EIA
7.3.2 Creation of cause-effect knowledge outside EIA
7.4 Impact prediction
7.4.1 Prediction and uncertainty in EIA
7.4.2 Using science to predict environmental impacts
7.5 Impact significance determination
7.5.1 Overview
7.5.2 Integrating technical and collaborative approaches
7.6 Evaluation of alternatives
7.6.1 Overview
7.6.2 Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches
7.7 Formal reviews
7.7.1 Overview
7.7.2 Administrative, scientific, and political dimensions
7.8 Follow-up
7.8.1 Overview
7.8.2 Effects monitoring, adaptive management, and participation
7.8.3 Environmental effects knowledge
8 Conclusions
Index
