Abstract
Environmental sensitivity maps (ESM’s) show the probable environmental impacts of different types of land use or development in a geographic context. They are a valuable and under-utilised tool in regional environmental planning.
Environmental sensitivity refers to the relationship between applied stresses and environmental responses. An ESM must identify likely stresses and responses, estimate sensitivities and map them in a usable form. It thus combines the techniques of environmental impact assessment (EIA) with those of regional planning and mapping.
ESM is not always preferable to project-based EIA. In general, ESM is particularly efficient and cost-effective for environmental planning at a regional scale, in mosaic terrain, in pristine areas, and for accidental impacts.
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References
Buckley RC (1982) Environmental sensitivity mapping: what, why and how. Min Environ 4:151–155
Colwell RK (1974) Predictability, constancy and contingency of periodic phenomena. Ecology 55:1148–1153
Usher MG, Williamson MH (1974) Ecological Stability. Blackwell, London
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© 1991 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Buckley, R. (1991). Environmental Sensitivity Mapping: A Regional Planning Tool. In: Perspectives in Environmental Management. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76502-5_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76502-5_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-53815-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-76502-5
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