Comparing GIS-based habitat models for applications in EIA and SEA

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2009.05.003· OSTI ID:21364696

Gontier, Mikael ^[1]; Moertberg, Ulla ^[1]; Balfors, Berit ^[1]

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1. Department of Land and Water Resources Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm (Sweden)

Land use changes, urbanisation and infrastructure developments in particular, cause fragmentation of natural habitats and threaten biodiversity. Tools and measures must be adapted to assess and remedy the potential effects on biodiversity caused by human activities and developments. Within physical planning, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) play important roles in the prediction and assessment of biodiversity-related impacts from planned developments. However, adapted prediction tools to forecast and quantify potential impacts on biodiversity components are lacking. This study tested and compared four different GIS-based habitat models and assessed their relevance for applications in environmental assessment. The models were implemented in the Stockholm region in central Sweden and applied to data on the crested tit (Parus cristatus), a sedentary bird species of coniferous forest. All four models performed well and allowed the distribution of suitable habitats for the crested tit in the Stockholm region to be predicted. The models were also used to predict and quantify habitat loss for two regional development scenarios. The study highlighted the importance of model selection in impact prediction. Criteria that are relevant for the choice of model for predicting impacts on biodiversity were identified and discussed. Finally, the importance of environmental assessment for the preservation of biodiversity within the general frame of biodiversity conservation is emphasised.

• OSTI ID: 21364696
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 30, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2009.05.003; PII: S0195-9255(09)00082-1; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0195-9255
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIRDS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
FORECASTING
FORESTS
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
HABITAT
HUMAN POPULATIONS
LAND USE
PLANNING
SIMULATION
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SWEDEN
ANIMALS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EUROPE
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
POPULATIONS
SCANDINAVIA
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE