FBL 204: Ecological Impact Assessment and Environmental Planning

Subject Ante and Title: FBL 204 Ecological Impact Assessment and Environmental Planning

Subject Status:                                   Elective

Credit Rating:                                   10 Credits

Time Distribution:     Lectures                      40 hrs

                                    Seminars/Tutorials       20 hrs

                                    Assignments                10 hrs

                                    Independent Study     20 hrs

                                    Practical                      10 hrs

Prerequisite: FBL 101, FBL 102, FBL 103

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the course successfully, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theory and methodology for analysis and evaluation of impacts on the natural environment.
  2. Predict the response of ecosystems to human activities.
  3. Undertake ecological impact assessment in selected ecosystems.

Contents: Definition of ecological impact assessment. Rationale for assessing ecological impact. Integrated impact assessment. Phases of ecological impact assessment. Planning approaches and ecological constraints. Environmental decision making. Quantitative and economic approaches in ecological impact assessment. Predicting impacts on the physical environment and the biota. Ecological impact statements.

Practicals: Designing and undertaking ecological impact assessment in selected areas/ecosystems of interest.

Required Reading

  1. Wiersma, G.B. (2004). Environmental Monitoring.CRC Press.
  2. Daniels, T. and Daniels, K. (2003). The Environmental Planning Handbook for Sustainable Communities and Regions. U.S.A.
  3. Schmitt, R.J. and Osenberg, C.W. (1996). Detecting Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Applications in Coastal Habitats. 1st Edition. Academic Press, U.S.A

Recommended Readings

  1. Downess, B.J et al (2002). Monitoring Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Practice in flowing Water. Cambridge University Press.
  2. Wiersma, G.B (2004). Environmental Monitoring.CRC Press.
  3. Northrop, R.B and Connor, A.N (2013). Ecological Sustainability: Understanding Complex Issues. CRC Press.