The importance of a hierarchic ecosystem classification for the biological evaluation and selection of least valuable sites
Dahdouh-Guebas, F.; Triest, L.; Verneirt, M. (1998). The importance of a hierarchic ecosystem classification for the biological evaluation and selection of least valuable sites. Impact Assess. Proj. Apprais. 16(3): 185-194
In: Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. Beech Tree Publishing: Guildford. ISSN 1461-5517; e-ISSN 1471-5465, more
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| Author keywords |
ecosystem; biological evaluation; site-selection; EIA |
| Abstract |
This paper suggests that for assessment studies, divisions into a core region (ecoseries), an im- mediate surrounding (ecosecction) and a wider surrounding ( ecodistrict) should be used in eco- system classification. A methodology to classify sites was set up and, making use of ten sites for biological evaluation in Belgium, it was shown how a hierarchical ecosystem classification could improve categorisation. Often the visual characteristics of the surrounding landscape, such as diversity or connectivity, mask the fea- tures ofthe core zone itself(ecoseries). Using different hierarchic ecosystem levels is a direct and effective help to avoid this masking and to give more importance to existing nuances. |
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