THE ROLE OF ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS IN CORAL REEF INVESTIGATIONS

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THE ROLE OF ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS IN CORAL
REEFINVESTIGATIONS

• Craig Downs,
• Haereticus Environmental Laboratories
• Patricia Ramírez Romero,
• Univ. Autonoma Metropolitana

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Environmental forensic investigations
Sufficient evidence (activity- environmental
effect)
Insufficient evidence
proceedings for environmental liability
non-litigious negotiations
Law enforcement actions
public relations compensation
economic and tax incentives
marketing advertisement capital
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Risk Assessment Objective

• Identification and analysis of relevant risks to
  achievement of the objectives, forming a basis
  for determining how the risks should be managed.

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RISK Probability that a deleterious effect will
occur
Receptor(s)
Estressor(s)
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Environmental Risk Assessment
Problem Formulation
Effects Evaluation
Exposure Evaluation
Risk Characterization
Risk Management
Risk Communication
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Problem FormulationConceptual Model
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Effects Evaluation
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Exposure Evaluation
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Risk Characterization
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Risk Management
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EVALUATE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK WOE DECISION MATRIX
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DEFINITIVE DETERMINATIONS POSSIBLE

• Negligible environmental risk 4/16
• Environmental risk 2/16
• Further investigations required (based on results
  thus far) 10/16 conduct further assessments

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ERA tier approach
Nivel III
Remediation/Action Plan
Nivel II
Nivel I
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Conclusions

• A forensic investigation that is coupled with a
  risk assessment concerning the early stage of an
  anthropogenic activity may allow for preventive
  measures (regulatory and non-regulatory) to be
  emplaced before irreversible environmental
  degradation may occur.

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Conclusions

• Risk Assessments allow the participation of
  multiple agencies
• risks can be prioritized
• resources can be directed adequately