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Using a Decision-Tree Approach to Connect Ecosystem Services Tools and Frameworks to the Risk Assessment Process
Citation:
Harwell, M., T. Newcomer-Johnson, L. Sharpe, C. Schumacher, AND K. Hines. Using a Decision-Tree Approach to Connect Ecosystem Services Tools and Frameworks to the Risk Assessment Process. SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA, November 13 - 17, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
This is for an oral presentation at the SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting as part of a special session organized by ORD/OLEM on connecting ecosystem services concepts, tools, and approaches to the ecological risk assessment process used in contaminated site cleanups. This "storytelling" presentation overviews recent ORD work to develop ecosystem services assessment tool selection navigator from the user's perspective.
Description:
There are a range of approaches for connecting ecosystem services (ES) to the ecological risk assessment (ERA) process for contaminated site cleanups. In order of complexity: · using best professional guess; · finding examples from other efforts to apply; · individualized tool applications; · using ES-relevant Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints; and · developing a systematic, decision-tree approach to crosswalk potentially relevant ES tools and frameworks to the different parts of the ERA process. This story describes the value-added benefits of using a decision-tree approach and introduces a new tool-navigating portal – specifically developed with risk assessors and contaminated site cleanup practitioners – to identify relevant ES (and ES tools) for a contaminated site ERA effort.