Ecological Impact Assessment (PDF)

The world's ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human
development. Ecological impact assessment (EcIA) is used to predict
and evaluate the impacts of development on ecosystems and their
components,thereby providing the information needed to ensure that
ecological issues are given full and proper consideration in
development planning. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has
emerged as a key to sustainable development by integrating social,
economic and environmental issues in many countries. EcIA has a
major part to play as a component of EIA but also has other
potential applications in environmental planning and management.

Ecological Impact Assessment provides a comprehensive
review of the EcIA process and summarizes the ecological theories
and tools that can be used to understand, explain and evaluate the
ecological consequences of development proposals. It is intended
for the many individuals and companies involved in EIA and EcIA, as
well as other areas of environmental management where impacts on
ecosystems need to be evaluated. It will benefit planners,
regulators, environmental consultants and scientists and will also
provide an invaluable sourcebook and guide for the growing number
of undergraduate students taking courses in applied ecology, EIA
and related topics in environmental science.

* * A practical management guide for the increasing numbers of
practitioners of EcIA.

* A rapidly expanding subject driven by the proliferation of
environmental legislation worldwide.