Incorporating ecosystem service assessments into development planning − impact from a dredging project in South Australia on seagrass

Sam Gaylard, Rachel Colella, Matt Nelson, Paul Lavery and Michelle Waycott

Ecosystem Services, 2025, vol. 74, issue C

Abstract: Major infrastructure development is required for economic development and to improve human well-being, however conflict exists between developers and the community. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is used in over 100 countries to evaluate potential impacts of major developments across environment, economy, and social benchmarks. However, EIA has been criticized for a lack of transparency and accountability, lack of consultation or participation and inadequate science. An ecosystem service assessment (ESA) recognizes the links between the environment and the socio-economic environment, resulting in a more holistic evaluation of potential impacts and effective community consultation. Despite this, its inclusion within EIA’s is rare.

Keywords: Environmental impact assessment; Dredging; Ecosystem services; Seagrass; Decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s2212041625000427

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101738

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