Introduction

Abstract

Ecological assessments are a critical component of land management planning and regulatory decision making. Their scope and nature commonly differ due to the issues addressed; the discipline, agency, or audience involved; and the associated legislative or regulatory requirements (Lessard et al., 1999). In the United States, for example, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 directed that all federal lands be managed to “encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; (and) to enrich understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation.” To ensure compliance with these objectives, NEPA dictated that the environmental consequences associated with proposed management of federal lands be fully disclosed to the general public through appropriate ecological assessment documents (e.g., environmental impact assessments). In a similar manner, over 40 other countries have legislated the use of some type of ecological assessment as a prerequisite for effective environmental planning and land management (Robinson, 1992; Treweek, 1999).