Cumulative effects assessment

Abstract

The science and tools to support cumulative effects assessment and understanding have advanced considerably in recent years, yet jurisdictions continue to struggle to effectively manage the cumulative effects of development actions. Most regulatory systems designed to assess cumulative effects tend to focus on project-based disturbances. Emphasis is placed on minimizing the cumulative contributions of a project rather than truly assessing and managing cumulative change. Though important for individual project management, cumulative effects assessment and management require nested regional- and project-specific approaches that are tightly coupled with an immediate and long-term stressor and effects-based monitoring programs. This chapter first explores the basic nature of cumulative effects, followed by the foundational principles of good-practice cumulative effects assessment and a framework for better practice.