MEASURING CHANGES OF THE SYSTEMEnvironmental Gradients

Human ImpactsEnvironmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s)

Modified from DARLENE OEHLKE

Assessment Statements

• 2.7.1 Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem along an environmental gradient. (review)

• 2.7.2 Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem due to a specific human activity. (review)

• 2.7.3 Describe and evaluate the use of environmental impact assessements (EIA’s)

Environmental Gradients

• Environmental Gradient: A gradual change in an ecosystem through distance, depth, altitude, or time.• Distance from the edge of a water source• Increase in altitude• Distance from human made path• Depth in water source• Time from environmental disturbance

(succession)

Environmental Gradients

• Measurements cannot be random.

• Sampling must be: • Systematic• Stratified

http://www.trunity.net/sample_textbook/view/article/51cbf3977896bb431f6ad713/?topic=5242dff00cf264abcd85d549

Measuring Environmental

Gradients• Sampling Methods:

• Line Transect (tape lies in direction of gradient)

• Belt Transect (belt of quadrats along line)

• Continuous everything along transect is included

• Interrupted samples taken at regular intervals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYrEV2F_CWM

Human Induced Change

http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/dec/14/first-dead-dolphin-spotted

http://nuclear-energy.net/nuclear-accidents/fukushima.html

http://www.argentinaindependent.com/socialissues/environment/amazonian-deforestation-soars/

http://stateofwilderness.com/2013/05/10/gryes-of-the-world-and-great-pacific-garbage-patch/

Human Induced Change

• Sundurban Oil Spill (2014)

• Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2013)

• Kuwaiti oil fires (1991)

• Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (1989)

• Chernobyl (1986)

• Bhopal Disaster (India) (1984)

• Great Smog (1952)

25-biggest-man-made-environmental-disasters-in-history

Review our class

environmental timeline! How many of these

events are human caused?

EIA definition (IBO)• A method of detailed survey required, in many

countries, before a major development.

• Such a survey should include a baseline study to measure environmental conditions before development commences, and to identify areas and species of conservation importance.

• The report produced is known as an environmental impact statement (EIS)

• The monitoring should continue for some time after the development.

Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA

• An EIA is a report prepared BEFORE a development project or large change in the way an area of land is used.

• The use of EIA’s is a fairly recent process.

1970’s USA

1985 Europe

Development projects

• Road construction

• A hydroelectric power plant

• A dam on a river

• An airport

• An extension of a city for housing

• A mine

Examples of projects from the AECOM

company

Examples of Projects that would conduct an

EIA

Examples of Projects that would conduct an

EIA

Examples of Projects that would conduct an

EIA

Examples of Projects that would conduct an

EIA

Examples of Projects that would conduct an

EIA

Purpose of an EIA

• To aid in planning of development

• To understand the environmental impact that may occur from a project before it is put into place (scoping)

• To help determine ways to minimize the damage done to the environment

An EIA will examine:

• The original environment

• Possible impacts on human life and the environment

• Ways to reduce negative impacts

• Economic benefits and other benefits of the project

Baseline Study

The baseline study will include measurements of:

• Microclimate

• Biodiversity: Biotic components

• Scenery

• Abiotic components

• Human populations in the area

Scoping

• Identify the key issues and concerns of the interested parties

• Who is concerned?

• What are the concerns?

• What is the level of concern where the development becomes unacceptable?

Summary of the purposes of the EIA:

• Support the goals of environmental protection and sustainable development

• Integrate environmental protection and economic decisions at the earliest stages of planning

• To predict environmental, social, economic and cultural consequences

• To mitigate any adverse impacts

• To provide involvement of the public and government agencies

Sample flow chart from a project in

Malaysia

http://www.njv.com.fj/waisoi-project-environmental-impact-assessment/

Examples…

• EIA Mojave Wind Farm

• EIA review checklist for mining

• Guidelines for EIA in Bangladesh

EIA

• “EIA may be defined as a formal process used to predict the environmental consequences of any development project. EIA thus ensures that the potential problems are foreseen and addressed at an early stage in the projects planning and design.”• Manu and Anshu, UEMRI-India

Bibliography

• Environmental Impact Assessment UNEP• http://www.unep.ch/etb/publications/en

viImpAsse.php

• IB ESS Course Companion pages 299-300