Toward a conceptual approach for assessing risks from chemical mixtures and other stressors to coastal ecosystem services
Syberg, K.; Backhaus, T.; Banta, G.; Bruce, P.; Gustavsson, M.; Munns, W.R.; Rämö, R.; Selck, H.; Gunnarsson, J.S. (2017). Toward a conceptual approach for assessing risks from chemical mixtures and other stressors to coastal ecosystem services. Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 13(2): 376-386. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ieam.1849
In: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. Wiley: Pensacola. ISSN 1551-3777; e-ISSN 1551-3793, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Syberg, K.
- Backhaus, T.
- Banta, G.
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- Bruce, P.
- Gustavsson, M.
- Munns, W.R.
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- Rämö, R.
- Selck, H.
- Gunnarsson, J.S.
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| Abstract |
Growth of human populations and increased human activity, particularly in coastal areas, increase pressure on coastal ecosystems and the ecosystem services (ES) they provide. As a means toward being able to assess the impact of multiple stressors on ES, in the present study we propose an 8-step conceptual approach for assessing effects of chemical mixtures and other stressors on ES in coastal areas: step A, identify the relevant problems and policy aims; step B, identify temporal and spatial boundaries; step C, identify relevant ES; step D, identify relevant stressors (e.g., chemicals); step E, translate impacts into ES units; step F, assess cumulative risk in ES units; step G, rank stressors based on their contribution to adverse effects on ES; and step H, implement regulation and management as appropriate and necessary. Two illustrative case studies (Swedish coastal waters and a coastal lagoon in Costa Rica) are provided; one focuses on chemicals that affect human food supply and the other addresses pesticide runoff and trade-offs among ES. The 2 cases are used to highlight challenges of such risk assessments, including use of standardized versus ES-relevant test species, data completeness, and trade-offs among ES. Lessons learned from the 2 case studies are discussed in relation to environmental risk assessment and management of chemical mixtures. |
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