Ecological vulnerability in risk assessment — A review and perspectives

Lange, H.J. de; Sala, Serenella; Vighi, Marco; Faber, J.H.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.11.009

Cited by 341 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Consequently, the ontology on vulnerable systems shown in Fig. 3 explicitly refers to four classes of vulnerable systems: (1) ''natural systems'' for vulnerability studies referring to a set of subclasses that include physical systems (Calvalieri et al 2012), biological systems (De Lange et al 2010), and/or biophysical systems (O'Brien et al 2004); (2) ''social systems'' for vulnerability studies referring to the subclasses of population in general (Adger 1999;Carreño et al 2007), social groups, for example, communities (Cutter et al 2003;Bollin and Hidajat 2006), functional systems, such as the economy (Patt et al 2010), the public financial sector (Mechler et al 2006) or the health sector (Hahn et al 2009;Few and Tran 2010); and (3) ''technical systems,'' such as vulnerability studies referring to critical infrastructure (Hellström 2007;Kröger and Zio 2011). In addition, the ontology also accounts for a separate class of hybrid concepts referring to interactions between and within systems, such as in societal and ecological (biophysical) subsystems (Turner et al 2003;Gallopín 2006) or societal and technical subsystems (Khazai et al 2013).…”

Section: Vulnerable Systems-vulnerability Of What?mentioning

confidence: 99%

VuWiki: An Ontology-Based Semantic Wiki for Vulnerability Assessments

Khazai

Kunz-Plapp

Büscher

et al. 2014

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

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Three decades of vulnerability research have generated a complex and growing body of knowledge. The concept of vulnerability, as well as its implementation in vulnerability assessments, is used in various disciplines and contexts. Correspondingly, a multitude of ideas and frameworks about how to conceptualize and measure vulnerability exists. To provide a structured representation of vulnerability, we have set up an ontology-based semantic wiki for reviewing and representing vulnerability assessments (www.vuwiki.org). Based on a survey of 55 vulnerability assessment studies, we first developed an ontology as an explicit reference system for describing vulnerability assessments. The ontology was then implemented in a semantic wiki which allows for the classification and annotation of vulnerability assessment. The resulting semantic wiki, VuWiki, does not aim at ''synthesizing'' a holistic and overarching model of vulnerability, but at (1) providing-both scientists and practitioners-with a uniform ontology as a reference system; (2) providing easy and structured access to the knowledge field of vulnerability assessments with the possibility for any user to retrieve assessments using specific research criteria; and (3) serving as a collaborative knowledge platform that allows for the active participation of those generating and using the knowledge represented in the vulnerability wiki.

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Section: Vulnerable Systems-vulnerability Of What?mentioning

confidence: 99%

VuWiki: An Ontology-Based Semantic Wiki for Vulnerability Assessments

Khazai

Kunz-Plapp

Büscher

et al. 2014

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

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“…De Lange [33] concludes that both concepts represent different approaches to the same problem: one regarding resilience as a retrospective approach ("did the system return to its original state? "); other viewing vulnerability in a prospective way ("is a system likely to be impacted by a particular stressor?…”

Section: Vulnerabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Proposed Methodology for Prioritizing Project Effects to Include in Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Resilience, Vulnerability and Risk Perception

2014

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Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) has emerged as one of the most widely used methodologies in environmental policy analysis, with many governments applying it in their decision-making procedures and laws. However, undertaking a full CBA is expensive, and conclusions must be drawn on which project or policy impacts to include in the analysis. Based on the ideas of resilience, vulnerability and risk, we suggest a method for prioritizing project impacts for inclusion in a CBA, which includes both expert assessment and citizen preferences. We then illustrate how the method can be applied in the context of land use change decisions, using a real application.

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“…However, in spite of this relevance, few examples of vulnerability assessment have been presented in the literature. A state of the art overview is described by De Lange et al (2010). Ecological vulnerability must be assessed at different hierarchical levels (population, community, ecosystem, landscape).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ecological vulnerability must be assessed at different hierarchical levels (population, community, ecosystem, landscape). Some definitions are given by De Lange et al (2010). The problem is not easy; particularly if one considers that the responses of different populations are generally different as a function of different stressors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological vulnerability analysis: A river basin case study

Ippolito

Sala

Faber

et al. 2010

Science of The Total Environment

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Assessing and quantifying ecosystem vulnerability is a key issue in site-specific ecotoxicological risk assessment. In this paper, the concept of vulnerability, particularly referred to aquatic ecosystems, is defined. Sensitivity to stressors, susceptibility for exposure and recovery capability are described as component of vulnerability of biological communities. The potential for habitat changes must also be considered in ecosystem vulnerability assessment. A procedure based on the application of an ecosystem vulnerability index is proposed. The method allows the assessment of vulnerability of riverine ecosystems to multiple stressors. The procedure is applied to two river systems in northern Italy: River Serio, subject to strong human pressure, and River Trebbia, in semi-natural conditions, as reference system. Macrozoobenthos is chosen as the indicator community. The actual quality of River Serio was evaluated as the result of the multiple stressor pressure on the reference system. Values and limitations of the approach are discussed.

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Ecological vulnerability in risk assessment — A review and perspectives

Cited by 341 publications

References 37 publications

VuWiki: An Ontology-Based Semantic Wiki for Vulnerability Assessments

VuWiki: An Ontology-Based Semantic Wiki for Vulnerability Assessments

A Proposed Methodology for Prioritizing Project Effects to Include in Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Resilience, Vulnerability and Risk Perception

Ecological vulnerability analysis: A river basin case study

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