Using a Decision-Tree Approach to Connect Ecosystem Services Tools and Frameworks to the Risk Assessment Process
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There are a range of approaches for connecting ecosystem services (ES) to the ecological risk assessment (ERA) process for contaminated site cleanups. In order of complexity:
· using best professional guess;
· finding examples from other efforts to apply;
· individualized tool applications;
· using ES-relevant Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints; and
· developing a systematic, decision-tree approach to crosswalk potentially relevant ES tools and frameworks to the different parts of the ERA process.
This story describes the value-added benefits of using a decision-tree approach and introduces a new tool-navigating portal – specifically developed with risk assessors and contaminated site cleanup practitioners – to identify relevant ES (and ES tools) for a contaminated site ERA effort.