Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2. Starting with the external sources of interactions with the land environment itself:
With this starting point, one follows a reverse sequence. Figure 9.4 shows a typi-
cal protocol to determine or evaluate sustainability capabilities for the actions or
impacts resulting from a speciic project, activity, or industry. Status indicators
(1) and (2) are indicators that may refer to different periods, intervals, circum-
stances, or locations. Prediction of the outcome of preventative or ameliorative
actions (corrective actions) is generally obtained via modeling of the processes
involved in the impact and corrective interactions, as also in the case of the actions
shown in Figure 9.3.
The importance of system status and material performance indicators is evident in the
soil quality indicators
shown in the left-hand side of Figure 9.3. The list of physical, chemi-
cal, and biological indicators shown in the diagram are not meant to be comprehensive.
They are prescribed according to the speciics of the natural capital component under
consideration. Status indicators (1) and (2) are prescribed in accordance with tracking or
monitoring requirements. These are both spatial and temporal in nature and can include
more than the numbers shown in the diagrams. Even though true sustainability may not
be attained, it is necessary for the objectives and goals for sustainability to be properly
articulated. These will serve to establish what, where, how many, and how often status
indicators will be used or required.
Specific project, event, activity,
industry interaction
Interaction with geoenvironment
Information from
material indicators
Procedures for impact
avoidance, amelioration,
mitigation and protection of
natural capital
Prediction of long-term
results and outcome
Correct and revise
Compare
Not
acceptable
Status indicators (
t
1
)
Not acceptable
Compare
Status indicators (
t
2
)
Natural
capital
baseline
values
On target
Not acceptable
Sustainability status
indicators
FIGURE 9.4
Prescription of material performance (properties) and system status indicators for determination of procedures
for impact avoidance, amelioration, mitigation, and protection of natural capital.
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