Briefly Explain the Term Ecological Risk Assessment

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is An ecological risk assessment (ERA) attempts to evaluate ecosystem health by estimating exposure to potential stressors, and how those stressors may negatively affect the ecosystem. The ERA involves hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The effects may occur on a wide scale, from individual plants or animals in a local area to ecological communities across a large region. One problem being addressed by an ecological risk assessment is the cumulative effects of many stressors on the Yellow River delta in China. The delta includes eight distinct ecosystems, including freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats. Some of the stressors to this system include water diversions for irrigation, oil spills, drought and flooding. A recent ERA identified ecosystems under greatest threat from these stressors, assisting managers in prioritizing efforts on reducing ecological risks in the delta.

Briefly Explain the Term Ecological Risk Assessment

Definitions: