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Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Problem-Solving Concepts and Case Studies (1986) / Chapter Skim
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6. Analog, Generic, and Pilot Studies and Treatment of a Project as an Experiment
Pages 75-80

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From page 75...
... This chapter briefly discusses the value and limitations of using specific information and of treating projects and other environmental actions as experiments when potentially serious effects cannot be adequately predicted from information acquired in advance. Observation of the actual effects of an action can sometimes be the only source of information for management decisions.
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From page 76...
... The Lake Washington experience now serves as a model for many lake eutrophication studies and has contributed importantly to our understanding of nutrient loading in lakes. The comprehensive review and analysis of the Southern Indian Lake project increased its instructional value.
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From page 77...
... Moreover, many generic studies involve simulation of the environmental change of interest, often on a smaller scale and with a narrower range of variables and variation than encountered in the actual situation. For example, the aquatic effects of thermal effluents from a nuclear power plant might be studied by injection of hot water into a river (if the appropriate permits required by the Clean Water Act were obtained first)
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From page 78...
... A list of useful generic reviews and related literature can be found in the annotated bibliography on ecological impact assessment prepared by Duinker and Beanlands (19831. PILOT-SCALE EXPERIMENTS Pilot-scale experiments are designed to investigate the effects of specific kinds of environmental perturbations on time and space scales much smaller than those of a planned project or action.
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From page 79...
... TREATING ~ PROJECT OR ACTION AS AN EXPERIMENT If reliable prediction of the ecological effects of a project or action is not feasible, even with extensive field investigations, the limits of predictive ability should be openly recognized, so that planners, decisionmakers, and managers can take into account the uncertainty of the ecological outcomes of particular actions (Paine, 19811. Viewing a project or action as an experiment can aid in designing a program to monitor effects.
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From page 80...
... have suggested that natural resources can be managed experimentally, not only by following up the consequences of management actions, but by basing management decisions on the need for increased knowledge. In that paradigm, managers must weigh the trade-offs between the value of potential immediate yield and the value of information.
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Key Terms

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  • power plant
  • southern indian
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  • lake washington

  • ecological knowledge
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  • useful generic
  • washington experience
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  • impact assessments
  • oil pollution
  • lake project
  • generic reviews
  • practical difference

  • environmental manipulation
  • protect caribou
  • scientific procedure
  • determine actual
  • narrower range

  • industry files
  • environmental actions
  • specific analog
  • specific information
  • comparative data

  • permits required
  • hydroelectric dam
  • requires knowledge
  • channel allows
  • consequent changes


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