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ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT: PROTECTING NORTHWEST ANADROMOUS SALMONID STOCKS
Citation:
Lackey, R. ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT: PROTECTING NORTHWEST ANADROMOUS SALMONID STOCKS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/A-94/046 (NTIS PB94159233).
Description:
Ecological risk assessment is usually defined as the process that evaluates the likelihood that adverse ecological effects are occurring, or may occur, as a result of exposure to one or mare stressors. he basic concept, while straightforward, is difficult to apply. trong reaction, both positive and negative, are often evoked by proposals to use risk assessment. he intellectual history of the risk assessment paradigm does not follow a neat, linear evolution. tilitarian assumption is required for all "management" or 'decision" paradigms, including risk assessment. he multiple use model was the most widely accepted paradigm throughout much of this century - - permutations include maximum sustained yield and maximum equilibrium yield -- and it dominated different disciplines at different times. cosystems and watershed management are the latest variants of the multiple use model. Chaos theory" applied to ecosystems led to the concept of adaptive assessment- and management. otal quality management is now crossing over from the business field and has been influential in some areas of ecological management. pplication of risk assessment to the Pacific Northwest salmonid problem would be difficult politically, but could be accomplished technically. efining what is at risk is the first and most difficult step, and must be resolved within the political decision-making framework or the results of the risk assessment will be of limited utility. ajor benefit of the risk assessment process might be to force analysis of what is really important to the public, rather than what is important to scientists and natural resource managers.