Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Environmental Topics
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Report a Violation
  • About EPA
Risk Assessment
Contact Us

Using a Decision-Tree Approach to Connect Ecosystem Services Tools and Frameworks to the Risk Assessment Process

On this page:

  • Overview
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.

Impact/Purpose

This is for an oral presentation at the SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting as part of a special session organized by ORD/OLEM on connecting ecosystem services concepts, tools, and approaches to the ecological risk assessment process used in contaminated site cleanups.  This "storytelling" presentation overviews recent ORD work to develop ecosystem services assessment tool selection navigator from the user's perspective.

Citation

Harwell, M., T. Newcomer-Johnson, L. Sharpe, C. Schumacher, AND K. Hines. Using a Decision-Tree Approach to Connect Ecosystem Services Tools and Frameworks to the Risk Assessment Process. SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA, November 13 - 17, 2022.
  • Risk Assessment Home
  • About Risk Assessment
  • Risk Recent Additions
  • Human Health Risk Assessment
  • Ecological Risk Assessment
  • Risk Advanced Search
    • Risk Publications
  • Risk Assessment Guidance
  • Risk Tools and Databases
  • Superfund Risk Assessment
  • Where you live
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on November 16, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshots
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.