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Ecological Impact Assessment for Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on

the Biological Environment with respect to the Indian Scenerio*

Article · April 2012

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 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

Ecological Impact Assessment for Prediction and Assessment of

Impacts on the Biological Environment with respect to the Indian
Scenerio*
VIJAYAN GURUMURTHY IYER NIKOS E. MASTORAKIS
Principal WSEAS European Office
Prince Dr.K.Vasudevan College of Engineering and Agiou Ioannou Theologou 17-13,
Technology, 15773, Zografou, Athens,
9 B, Block-II, Ammaiappar Apartments , GREECE
Virugambakkam, Chennai-600 092, Tamilnadu, India. mastor@wseas.org
Mobile: 09444812401 http://www.wseas.org/mastorakis
Email: vijayaniyergurumurthy@rediffmail.com
vijayan_iw_2002@sify.com

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 waste-
disposal 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: 978-1-61804-082-4 61
 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences
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-to-
date 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
ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4
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
62
 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences
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;
ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4
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-to-
date 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
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 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

endangered or threatened species and Description of Ecological impact

critical habit. assessment
Step 3: Step 1
Procurement of relevant laws , regulations Identification of biological quantity and
or criteria related to the impacts/or quality impacts of proposed project
conditions; biological quality standards; activities
Step 4: Given below the reasons for degradation of
Impact prediction of the biological land/loss of terrestrial and or aquatic
environment ; ecosystem [3].
Step 5: 1. Land resources used for industrial,
Assessment of biological impact residential, agricultural, transportation
significance purposes;
Step 6: 2. Timbering including forest based
Identification and incorporation of industrial development
mitigation measures; 3. Various graze practices;
4. Mining practices
3 Problem Solution 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);

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 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

This database must include all kinds Sustainable development

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

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 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences
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:
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
ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4
View publication stats
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, www.ncstc-network.org, 22-
25 September 2007,pp.69-70.
2. 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.227.
3. 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. 208. Reference Number;
Tamilnadu/17/III, www.ncstc-
network.org.
research publications and three books. His
publications have been cited more than 190
citation database.
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