Design criteria and derivation of indicators for ecological position, direction, and risk

Abstract

Abstract-The baseline specifications for indicators for ecological risk assessment and management are presented. These indicators may be related to the assessment space as determined by cultural values and laws. This assessment space is a multivariate expression of the assessment endpoints. The three types of indicators include current position, the probability of leaving the assessment space, and the probability of reentering the assessment space. The formulation of indicators must recognize that ecological systems are dynamically complex and composed of both deterministic and stochastic components. As has been demonstrated in laboratory ecological systems and field experiments, the best impact indicators change over time, eliminating the possibility of a single variable being an accurate measure of position and change. We set six specific requirements for developing a useful set of indicators, as follows. The indicators must be placed in the context of the assessment space. Because projections cause the loss of information, a variety of methods with different assumptions about the nature of the system should be used. The best attributes to measure alteration of the system change over time; to use just one set may result in missing the dynamic complexity of the system and subsequent impacts. Ecological systems are both deterministic and stochastic, and representation of each is important. The stochastic component can have a tremendous impact, changing the overall dynamics. Spatial context is critical in making accurate predictions and must be known.

Metal Bioavailability and Toxicity in Sediments

“…Given the uniqueness of each reach, stream, and watershed (Hawkins et al, 2000), it is preferable to use multiple reference sites that possess similar physicochemical conditions and are least impaired for that ecoregion to describe a reference condition (Landis & McLaughlin, 2000;Reynoldson & Wright, 2000). These conditions have been selected using Downloaded by [University of Connecticut] at 08:20 25 October 2012 statistical and modeling methods (e.g., Reynoldson & Wright, 2000;Smith, 2002).…”

New Sustainability Perspectives on Pollutant Releases from Canada’s Nuclear Sector

“…The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s recent publication of a framework on the role of PRTRs in global sustainability analysis defines the role PRTRs can play in evaluating progress toward sustainability. − This role focuses on informing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 “Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns”, and target 12.4 which relates to the sound management of chemicals and wastes by significantly reducing their releases to air, water and soil in order to minimize impacts on human health and the environment. , This includes using PRTR data to generate snapshots and trend analyses of what pollutants are being released/transferred/disposed of, and how much; by what industrial facilities or sectors, geographic regions or points; into what environmental compartments; and what impacts are to the environment and/or human health . Indeed, others − support the concepts of this PRTR use in that sustainability indicators should measure current status, predict future changes in the system, and do so in the context of specific thresholds/benchmarks relative to the goal. Similarly, Goodland, Rockström, and others − note that sustainability is when, among other things, a society’s material and energy throughputs occur with rates of pollution emission that do not exceed the finite ecological constraints or regenerative capacity of the environment, anywhere from the local to global scale, or in the short- or long-term.…”

“…22 , 25 This includes using PRTR data to generate snapshots and trend analyses of what pollutants are being released/transferred/disposed of, and how much; by what industrial facilities or sectors, geographic regions or points; into what environmental compartments; and what impacts are to the environment and/or human health. 24 Indeed, others 26 − 28 support the concepts of this PRTR use in that sustainability indicators should measure current status, predict future changes in the system, and do so in the context of specific thresholds/benchmarks relative to the goal. Similarly, Goodland, Rockström, and others 29 − 32 note that sustainability is when, among other things, a society’s material and energy throughputs occur with rates of pollution emission that do not exceed the finite ecological constraints or regenerative capacity of the environment, anywhere from the local to global scale, or in the short- or long-term.…”

In search of effective bioassessment of urban stormwater pond sediments: enhancing the ‘sediment quality triad’ approach with oligochaete metrics

“…IOBL*) for application to stormwater ponds because the resistance and resilience potentials in smaller waterbodies are likely to be different. Like any other ecosystem, stormwater ponds are multidimensional dynamic systems, whose ecological risk assessment must be considered in a time dimension (Landis & McLaughlin 2000). Therefore, particular attenfion should be given to seasonal influenees, as well as to the impact of particular storm events on the benthos.…”