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Ecosystem Services in the Real World: Using the U.S. EnviroAtlas Tool in Impact Assessments
Citation:
Daniel, J., M. Mehaffey, AND A. Neale. Ecosystem Services in the Real World: Using the U.S. EnviroAtlas Tool in Impact Assessments. EcoSummit 2016, Montpellier, FRANCE, August 29 - September 01, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
In this abstract we describe the EnviroAtlas a web-based application containing a collection of geospatial data, analysis tools, and interpretive information focused on ecosystem goods and services. EnviroAtlas relates to current efforts to implement the July 2011 Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report on Sustaining Environmental Capital: Protecting Society and the Economy list of recommendations. The EnviroAtlas web application is a major project with mulitple deliverables in the SHC program.
Description:
There have been widespread calls to integrate ecosystem services (ES) into decision processes, including a recent U.S. mandate directing Federal agencies to incorporate ES into their planning, investments, and regulatory contexts. Using an ES framework is expected to lead to better outcomes, fewer unintended consequences, and more efficient use of resources. The U.S. EnviroAtlas is a publicly available, web-based tool that can help inform public and private decision making by allowing users to asily view, manipulate, and download ES data at multiple spatial resolutions. Here, we demonstrate how EnviroAtlas data and tools have been used to support three different impact assessment (IA) projects. Data related to ES supply, demand, and drivers of change, as well as other social and economic data, were selected from nviroAtlas for use in the IAs. Based on individual project goals, practitioners used EnviroAtlas data available for the contiguous mainland U.S and/or finer resolution data available for selected communities. These data were used in conjunction with ancillary data from stakeholders and partners to develop project scenarios. At the regional scale, a Cost-Effectiveness Index was created for targeting manure transport subsidies to reduce nutrient loading in the U.S. Chesapeake Bay Watershed drainage area. On a local scale, the Tampa Florida Parks and Recreation Department used EnviroAtlas data and tools to determine recreational suitability as part of an HIA. EnviroAtlas has also been recommended to help facilitate EIAs for large scale transportation planning projects. These examples demonstrate how EnviroAtlas data and resources can be used in a range of contexts to incorporate ES into IAs. Practitioners were able to utilize a suite of ES information in conjunction with their own data to determine potential impacts. With access to data outside of the geographic area of interest, broader impacts were also included, allowing for more informed decision processes.
