Ecological Impact Assessment for Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on the Biological Environment with respect to the Indian Scenerio*

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1 Ecological Impact Assessment for Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on the Biological Environment with respect to the Indian Scenerio* VIJAYAN GURUMURTHY IYER Principal Prince Dr.K.Vasudevan College of Engineering and Technology, 9 B, Block-II, Ammaiappar Apartments, Virugambakkam, Chennai , Tamilnadu, India. Mobile: vijayaniyergurumurthy@rediffmail.com vijayan_iw_2002@sify.com NIKOS E. MASTORAKIS WSEAS European Office Agiou Ioannou Theologou 17-13, 15773, Zografou, Athens, GREECE mastor@wseas.org Abstract: - Global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning warm the earth, threatening the ecology and putting human welfare at long-term risk. In 2009, the combustion of fossil fuels and production of cement sent more than 30 billion tonnes of carbon poured in to the atmosphere. The combustion of coal itself representing 66% of the growth in emissions. About 51% of the carbon dioxide emissions only coming from China. Most of the energy intensive manufacturing industrial goods are being imported by rich countries. It is necessary to conduct ecological impact assessment studies for the World Projects of power plants and cement plants and to design and develop greener energy systems. Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA) can be defined as the systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed projects, plans, programs, or legislative actions relative to the biological components of the total environment. The purpose of the EIA process is to encourage the consideration of the ecosystem in planning and decision making and to ultimately arrive at actions which are ecologically compatible. Prediction and assessment of impacts on the biological environment entail a number of technical and professional considerations related to both the predictive aspects and the interpretation of the significance of anticipated changes. Many projects ( and activities) can cause undesirable impacts on terrestrial and / or aquatic ecosystems. Examples of such impacts include habitat degradation through overgrazing practices; wetland drainage for agricultural, industrial,or urban development projects; habitat loss, with attendant consequences on fish and wildlife species due the construction of hydropower projects; loss of critical habitat for endangered or threatened species as a result of timber harvesting, recreational developments, and / or military training activities; multiple aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem effects from acid rain formed as a consequence of sulphur dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants; and potential toxic effects to plants and / or animals as a result of air-or water-pollutant discharges or of wastedisposal activities of industries and municipalities. This paper is structured around a six-step methodology for biological-impact prediction and assessment with respect to the Indian Scenario. Key-Words: biodiversity, ecological impact, methodology, sustainable management *This research paper entitled Ecological Impact Assessment for Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on the Biological Environment Abstract Index number B167/2011, was presented in ISBN:

2 the 81 st Annual session of The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) in the National Symposium on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science and Technology during November 24-26, 2011 at University of Kerala (University of Travancore), Thiruvanthapuram. 1 Introduction Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA) can be defined as the systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed projects, plans, programs, or legislative actions relative to the biological components of the total environment. Ecology can be defined as the study of the relationships of living things to one another and to their surroundings. Environment can be defined as the surrounding in which a person, animal and plant lives; Several activities are required in an ecological impact assessment study, including biological impact identification, preparation of a description of the affected biological environment, impact prediction, and assessment of the biological environment, selection of the proposed action based on evaluation of alternatives and from the alternatives evaluated to meet indentified needs and summarization and communication of information[1]. For the appropriate conduction of biological impact studies, it is necessary to keep up-todate in this subject area. 2 Problem Formulation Global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning warm the earth, threatening the ecology and putting human welfare at long-term risk. In 2009, the combustion of fossil fuels and production of cement sent more than 30 billion tonnes carbon poured in to the atmosphere. The combustion of coal itself representing 66% of the growth in emissions. About 51% of the carbon dioxide emissions coming from China. Most of the energy intensive manufacturing industrial goods are being imported by rich countries. It is necessary to conduct ecological impact assessment studies for the World Projects of power plants and cement plants and to design and develop greener energy systems. 2.1 Ecological impact assessment system This system develops ecological inventories; Ecological impact assessment system would 1. Apply to All projects that are expected to have a significant environment impact and address all impacts that are expected to be significant 2. Compare alternatives to a proposed projects/ project site, management technique, and mitigation measures 3. Result in a clear environmental impact assessment statement which conveys the importance of the likely impacts and their specific characteristics to non experts and experts in the field. 4. Include broad public participation and stringent administrative review procedures. 5. Be timed so as to provide information for decision making 6. Be enforceable 7. Include monitoring and feedback procedures 2.2 Important Elements of the Ecological and Biological Impact Assessment Process Ecological impact assessment for prediction and assessment of impacts on the biological environment shall be undertaken to fulfill the following needs : 1. Environmental effects with respect to the ecological and biological aspects shall be ISBN:

3 taken in to account early in the planning and new projects, programs, and activities. 2. An environmental assessment shall be carried out before commitments or irrevocable decisions are made for such of those projects which have an adverse effects on environment. 3. The results of the assessments shall be used in planning and decision making and implementation. 4. To find the loss of wildlife and habitat 5. To finds the disturbances of aquatic organisms and habitats 6. To find the destruction of vegetation 7. To find the erosion and sedimentation; The first step of the EIA process is to determine whether a project falls within the relevant act or regulations, and whether the development is likely to create significant environmental disruptions[1]. The nature and magnitude of the environmental changes that are likely to occur and that must be estimated and included in the EIS with respect to the biological class. For example, vegetation, wildlife; sport and commercial fish species; and endangered species. EIS included census of flora and fauna in the affected area, particularly with respect to endangered species. The studies of their life cycles, habitats and food chains of representative species, with particular emphasis on processes which control the behavious of environmental components. Then an assessment is undertaken, leading to the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS is open to public scrutiny and may be reviewed at public hearings. EIA Statements describe the affected ecological setting without project [1]. Using good scientific practice, predictions of biological and ecological impacts are to be made. This shall be much more uncertain, this is because living organisms and communities of organisms are subject to many natural stresses; droughts, floods, overgrazing, as well as to stresses created by society. In addition, living organisms are adaptive and contain great genetic variability, so that their reactions to multiple environmental stresses are not always predictable. Eventually, a decision is made at the political level as to whether to (1) accept the development, (2) Accept an amended form of the proposed development, (3) accept an alternative proposal, or (4) reject the development. 2.3 Ecological impact assessment system This system develops ecological inventories. 2.4 Environmental Impact Statements 1. Describe a proposed action, as well as alternatives (including that of no action) 2. Estimate the nature and magnitude of the likely environmental effects of all alternatives. 3. Identify the relevant human concerns. 4. Define criteria to be used in measuring the significance of environmental changes, including the relative weights to be assigned in comparing different kind of changes. 5. Estimate the significance of the predicted environmental changes (that is estimate the impacts of the proposed action). 6. Make recommendations for monitoring procedures to be followed during and after implementation of the action. For the appropriate conduction of biological impact studies, it is necessary to keep up-todate in this subject area[2]. 2.5 Conceptual approach for study focused on ecological impact assessment - Step 1: Identification of biological quantity and quality impacts of proposed project activities Step 2: Description of existing biological environmental conditions: Preparation of description of existing biological conditions and consideration of ISBN:

4 endangered or threatened species and critical habit. Step 3: Procurement of relevant laws, regulations or criteria related to the impacts/or conditions; biological quality standards; Step 4: Impact prediction of the biological environment ; Step 5: Assessment of biological impact significance Step 6: Identification and incorporation of mitigation measures; 3 Problem Solution Description of Ecological impact assessment Step 1 Identification of biological quantity and quality impacts of proposed project activities Given below the reasons for degradation of land/loss of terrestrial and or aquatic ecosystem [3]. 1. Land resources used for industrial, residential, agricultural, transportation purposes; 2. Timbering including forest based industrial development 3. Various graze practices; 4. Mining practices 5. Water management practices 6. Military, recreational and other activities; 7. Eco-toxicological effects due to coal fired power plants/ hazardous industries; Step II Preparation of a description of the flora and fauna components. Our Country is in rich of biological Environment. A list of the common plants and animals in India Plants including forest trees ; 50,000 Animals ; 80,000 Flowering plants ; 20,000 Insects ; 67,000 Molluscs ; 1,000 Invertebrates ; 6,500 Fishes ; 1,400 Amphibians ; 140 Reptiles ; 420 Birds ; 1,200 Mammals ; 340 Remote sensing and ecological impact information system Computerized database, analysis and display Computerized flora and fauna information system (CFFIS) through structured database is necessary for describing the affected environment, in order to predict the potential impacts of proposed project activities and also assessing the significance of anticipated changes. List of threatened and endangered animal and plant species 1. Endangered species information system (ESIS); ISBN:

5 This database must include all kinds of threatened or endangered animals and plants Computerized Fish and wild life information System (CFWIS) Step-III; Professional judgment must be done in applying the qualitative requirements for the biological environment on the basis of relevant legislation, regulations, criteria, and guidelines to the biological environment. Step-IV: Impact Prediction on the Basis of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development : Quantitative and qualitative impacts description for potential ecological impacts (or effects); Habitat based methods and models Habitat based system and models Habitat based approaches (HBA) refer to the habitat evaluation system and procedure (HESP) ; Mathematical modeling approach Physical modeling approach Who are the EIA Professionals? 1. Biologists 2. Engineers 3. Planners 4. Geographers 5. Landscape architects 6. Archaeologists Who are associated with the EIA process? Central, and State government Professionals, Scientific, Engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms, Consultants and Private companies concerned to EIA What is the Need for the National Ecological Policy Act? 1. Ecological policy act concerned to project planning and evaluation, 2. Ecological assessment and policies Sustainable development It is the development that meets the needs (World s poor) of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (World s poor); Step-V: Assessment of Ecological Impact Significance: Interpretation of the anticipated impacts of a proposed activity (or project) should be considered in terms of individual species, habitats, and ecosystems. The following programs concerned to public interest factors 1. Conservation 2. Aesthetics 3. Wetlands 4. Fish and wild life 5. Navigation 6. Recreation 7. Water quality 8. Food and fiber production 9. Mineral needs 10. Economics 3. Declaration of a national ecological policies Proposals are to be made for the following legislations: 1. Rare, threatened or endangered species act Because endangered plants get extinct by inundation (flooded) caused by hydroelectric dams. 2. To determine whether any endangered, threatened, rare or protected species is within the project activities; 3. Surface mining control and reclamation act ;- Since surface mining activities can cause undesirable impact on the biological environment 4. Natural resource management plans ISBN:

5. Wild life protection plans, 6. Wet land management plans 4 Conclusion Ecological impact assessment can be systematically approached in terms of impact prediction and assessment.

6 5. Wild life protection plans, 6. Wet land management plans 4 Conclusion Ecological impact assessment can be systematically approached in terms of impact prediction and assessment. In this paper, biological environmental settings such as energy flow diagrams, habitat evaluation system and species list with respect to qualitative description, have been presented. Considering ecological impacts are the dynamic systems and based on the approach of various project activities, a six step methodological frame work for planning and conducting impact studies focused on only biological environment has been presented. Technical tools have been formulated and provided for problem solving so as to assess the potential ecological impacts such as, structured data presentation, biological and ecological indices, mathematical models, physical models, remote sensing and computerized ecological information system (RSEIS). There is a scope for the biologists to study the habitat based methods for the impact prediction and assessment for the biological environment including habitat quality index and habitat suitability index. References: 1. Vijayan G.Iyer, Environmental Science and Sustainable Development are The Basis of Environmental Education for the 21 St Century, Abstracts Book of the IV National Teacher s Science Conference 2007 (NTSC-2007), Theme entitled Environmental Education for Better Life ID number 1/Tamilnadu/17 organized by NCSTC-Network, New Delhi, Hosted by Pahal, Uttanchal, Rajeev Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaaya, Dehradun, September 2007,pp Vijayan G.Iyer, Monitoring and Measurement Opportunities of Food Contaminants through Process Approach, Abstract Book in the VI National Teachers Science Congress 2011, November 8-11, 2011, Venue; Benares Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, pp Vijayan G.Iyer, Some Case Studies of Environmental Impact Assessment of the Hazardous Industries and Need of Clean Technology Applications in these Process Industries, Abstracts Book of the 5 th National Teachers Science Congress-2009, Focal Theme: Understanding Planet Earth, Venue: Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, Orissa 1-4 October, 2009, pp Reference Number; Tamilnadu/17/III, Dr.Vijayan Gurumurthy Iyer, Ph.D., D.Sc., LL.D. has been serving as Professor far the past ten years. He has published more than 130 research publications and three books. His publications have been cited more than 190 citation database. ISBN:

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