Forest Health and Biotechnology Possibilities and Considerations (2019) / Chapter Skim
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5 An Integrated Impact Assessment Framework
5 An Integrated Impact Assessment Framework
Pages 129-154
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From page 129... ...
IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK The characteristics of forest health that are central to an impact assessment framework are contained within the term's definition in Chapter 2: structure, composition, processes, function, productivity, and resilience. However, given that the definition establishes a linkage between changes in ecosystems and in services that affect humans, an impact assessment framework should 129
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From page 130... ...
In Chapter 7, the committee recommends further research into a framework that takes these values into account. Fully informed assessment of the impacts of deploying biotech trees would include consideration of other options to protect forest health, including that of taking no action at all (see Chapter 3)
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From page 131... ...
In the context of the committee's report, that intervention would be the introduction of a biotech tree into a forest ecosystem with the intent of gene flow through minimally managed, silvicultural, and urban forest systems. In other words, the intent of the intervention is for traits conferring resistance to insect pests and pathogens to become widespread.
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From page 132... ...
. Ultimately, resolution of these difficulties would be needed to support impact analysis of the use of biotech trees in forests or other forest health interventions, but that analysis lies beyond the scope of this study.
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From page 133... ...
For example, understanding the cultural impacts of the release of a biotech tree requires communication and engagement with multiple publics ranging from tribal groups to communities near targeted forests to conservation advocates to recreational users of forests within the range of eventual gene flow. Biotech trees in forests will slowly spread and have impacts far from where they are planted for decades or longer.
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From page 134... ...
. The field of social impact assessment, which emerged in the context of evaluating potential develop ment projects and interventions, embodies many of these perspectives.a In a foundational article, Vanclay (2003:8)
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• Nonuse: Existence of American chestnut trees (restored from functional extinction) , bequest of tree to future generations, existence of biotech tree in unmanaged landscapes (e.g., views of wildness, revitalization of ecosystem)
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From page 136... ...
As such, these endpoints address many of the ecosystem services relevant to assessment of forest health. As stated above, this approach can be adopted as part of an impact assessment framework but would need refinement to incorporate the full suite of services intended in the committee's definition of forest health.
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From page 137... ...
. Given that this committee's definition of forest health includes both ecological and human dimensions, explicit incorporation of both dimensions should be included in assessments of the risks, benefits, and costs of a forest health intervention, including the development and release of biotech trees.
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From page 138... ...
For example, field trials evaluating biotech trees can provide information about the growth and resistance of the trees, but they can take years to develop and alone will not be sufficient for assessing the impacts of releasing the biotech tree to address forest health. However, data from field trials can be combined with data derived from other types of plant releases to parameterize simulation models to inform impact assessment.
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From page 139... ...
Field trials are important because the potential effects of gene flow from biotech trees need serious consideration. Individuals may be in the system for decades to centuries, long after people will recall the immediate concerns that the biotechnology was intended to address, but not before the full impacts of deployment occur.
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From page 140... ...
. Modeling Gene Flow Given that biotech trees to protect forest health would be released into minimally managed or unmanaged environments, evaluation of their potential spread is critical in any impact assessment.
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From page 141... ...
Along with data collected from field trials, modeling the rate of gene flow via pollen spread and seed dispersal is essential for understanding the potential spread of the introduced genes across the landscape and the necessary planting configuration. Because predicting the impact of biotech trees released into the environment is a complex and challenging undertaking, models can also help evaluate unintended consequences of the genetic modifications on nontarget organisms and ecosystem processes.
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From page 142... ...
. Limited Representation of Qualitative Impacts Modeling is limited by its ability to incorporate factors such as social, political, cultural, and ethical issues related to the use of biotech trees to improve forest health.
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From page 143... ...
. Risk assessments developed for agricultural biotech crops could help identify some of the information and analysis needs for an impact assessment framework, with the caveat that agricultural fields are much more intensively managed than noncommercial forests.
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Because biotech trees would require new field trials (if permitted) , establishing active adaptive management efforts may be less costly than using this approach for other purposes.
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This stepwise approach may be the only practical way to obtain realistic data on gene flow and impacts at the spatial and temporal scales that are needed for proper impact assessment for biotech trees.
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A good example of implementation of adaptive management by the U.S. Forest Service is provided by the Black Hills Mountain Pine Beetle Response Project (USDA-FS, 2012)
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From page 147... ...
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Using an impact assessment framework that builds on the National Ecosystem Services Classification System developed by EPA would help those who may develop, approve, and live with biotech trees to minimize the risks of using biotechnology in forest trees while increasing the benefits to forest health. It would help identify the ecosystem services, including those related to cultural and societal values, that are important for addressing forest health within the context of each tree species being modified.
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From page 148... ...
The long-lived nature of trees and the varied ecosystems in which even a single tree species may occur mean that field trials will need to take place in many locations for a single species. Field trials are also important because of the potential effects of gene flow from biotech trees, and they also will provide information about the feasibility of using biotech trees with resistance to accomplish species restoration or preservation goals.
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From page 149... ...
Impacts are likely to vary across biotech tree species and will need case-by-case evaluation. Recommendation: An adaptive management approach to forest health should be used to ensure continued learning and address impacts both to the environment and society.
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From page 150... ...
2018. Integrating Adaptive Management and Ecosystem Services Concepts to Improve Natural Resource Management: Challenges and Opportuni ties.
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From page 151... ...
2018. Forest Health and Biotechnology within an Ecosystem Services Framework.
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2007. Gene flow and local adaptation in trees.
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From page 153... ...
2003. International principles for social impact assessment.
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