Environmental Assessment and Management – serie

Decision analysis has become widely recognized as an important process for translating science into management actions. With climate change and other systemic threats as driving forces in creating environmental and engineering problems, there is a great need for understanding decision making frameworks through a case-study based approach. Management of environmental and engineering projects is often complicated and multidisciplinary in scope and nature, thus issues that arise can be difficult to solve analytically. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Case Studies in Engineering and the Environment provides detailed description of MCDA methods and tools and illustrates their applications through case studies focused on sustainability and system engineering applications. New in the Second Edition: Addresses current and emerging environmental and engineering problems Includes seven new case studies to illustrate different management situations applicable at the international level Builds on real case studies from recent and relevant environmental and engineering management experience Describes advanced MCDA techniques and extensions used by practitioners Provides corresponding decision models implemented using the DECERNS software package Gives a more holistic approach to teaching MCDA methodology with a focus on sustainable solutions and adoption of new technologies, including nanotechnology and synthetic biologyGiven the novelty and inherent applicability of this decision-making framework to the environmental and engineering fields, a greater number of teaching tools for this topic need to be made available. This book provides those teaching tools, covering the breadth of the applications of MCDA methodologies with clear explanations of the MCDA process. The case studies are implemented in the DECERNS software package, allowing readers to experiment and explore and to understand the full process by which environmental managers assess these problems.This book is a great resource for professionals and students seeking to learn decision analysis techniques and apply similar frameworks to environmental and engineering projects

Decision analysis has become widely recognized as an important process for translating science into management actions. With climate change and other systemic threats as driving forces in creating environmental and engineering problems, there is a great need for understanding decision making frameworks through a case-study based approach. Management of environmental and engineering projects is often complicated and multidisciplinary in scope and nature, thus issues that arise can be difficult to solve analytically. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Case Studies in Engineering and the Environment provides detailed description of MCDA methods and tools and illustrates their applications through case studies focused on sustainability and system engineering applications. New in the Second Edition: Addresses current and emerging environmental and engineering problems Includes seven new case studies to illustrate different management situations applicable at the international level Builds on real case studies from recent and relevant environmental and engineering management experience Describes advanced MCDA techniques and extensions used by practitioners Provides corresponding decision models implemented using the DECERNS software package Gives a more holistic approach to teaching MCDA methodology with a focus on sustainable solutions and adoption of new technologies, including nanotechnology and synthetic biologyGiven the novelty and inherent applicability of this decision-making framework to the environmental and engineering fields, a greater number of teaching tools for this topic need to be made available. This book provides those teaching tools, covering the breadth of the applications of MCDA methodologies with clear explanations of the MCDA process. The case studies are implemented in the DECERNS software package, allowing readers to experiment and explore and to understand the full process by which environmental managers assess these problems.This book is a great resource for professionals and students seeking to learn decision analysis techniques and apply similar frameworks to environmental and engineering projects

Bioavailability processes are essential for assessing environmental risk, environmental health, and decision-making in environmental management. This practical guide on environmental bioavailability explains its importance and includes specific methods for testing the bioavailability of pollutants in water (freshwater and seawater), soils, and sediments. Detailed methods and techniques are given to measure and assess bioavailability using biotic methods, abiotic methods, and modeling. Case studies help environmental researchers and practitioners understand the applications of bioavailability in field and laboratory. This book contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of environmental bioavailability in contemporary environmental science in the following ways:Provides information on the importance of environmental bioavailability of pollutants.Explains, in a “how-to” manner, the use of environmental bioavailability in the context of Environmental Risk Assessment and environmental management decision-making.Includes areas of applicability, optimum conditions, and pros and cons for bioavailability methods provided.Summarizes state-of-the-art in modeling environmental bioavailability and discusses current best practices.Includes case studies illustrating the assessment of bioavailability using different approaches.This handbook is intended for professionals, researchers, academics, environmental practitioners, and policymakers working in the areas of Environmental Risk Assessment, environmental health, environmental management, sustainability, and related fields. It is also an excellent resource for students studying in any of these fields and looking for a foundational text on environmental bioavailability.

This book focuses on climate change impacts and adaptation in Texas, a vital economic and ecologically important region in the United States. Texas spans twelve distinct ecoregions and a GDP greater than that of many countries; however, it is the only large state in the United States that does not have an active climate action or adaptation plan. This book analyzes the ways in which every aspect of life in Texas could be affected by climate change and the severe risks posed to the future well-being of Texans. It discusses the effects of climate change on the natural environment, human-environmental systems, and a diversity of approaches used for climate adaptation and mitigation, whether intentional or not. Finally, this book provides a different perspective for both the climate enthusiast and the climate agnostic.FeaturesOffers a contemporary perspective on the changing climate in Texas and why it matters—especially with respect to impacts, points of vulnerability, and adaptation.Includes contributions from the state climatologist and disciplinary experts who have a solid understanding of the ecological, social, economic, and policy issues for Texas.Provides a perspective on the political and economic motivations of climate mitigation in Texas, or lack thereof.Discusses the multi-faceted and interconnected nature of impacts and links projected impacts to adaptation and mitigation needs.Extends the discussion of climate change to relate to the broader science of planetary limitations.This book serves as a foundational resource for graduate students, industry professionals, government officials, environmental practitioners, researchers, and academics dealing with climate change everywhere, not just in Texas, and gives readers a sense of urgency for changes that need to be made.

This book encompasses various approaches to electrochemical water treatment, emphasizing a well-structured framework within the nexus of electrochemistry, water, and energy. It addresses the urgent challenges of water scarcity and pollution and offers practical insights and operational guidance on removing pollutants and preserving water resources through water purification. Applications and real-life case studies support the innovative nature of electrochemical processes as a sustainable and efficient alternative. The user-friendly approach makes this book accessible to a broad audience, being a specialist seeking advanced techniques or a concerned citizen.FeaturesCovers comprehensively the most recent and advanced electrochemical water treatment techniques.Presents practical operational guidelines and insights.Includes real-world examples and case studies.Focuses on environmental impacts and sustainability.Addresses innovative approaches in technology, theoretical computational analysis, and future development guidance for electrochemical water treatment.This book is for professionals, students, and researchers in water and environmental sciences interested in water treatment, management, and resource recovery. It is also a great resource for public and environmental health experts and readers who work in related disciplines and readers interested in water management, treatment, and the health of the environment.

Edited by experts at the leading edge of the development of causal assessment methods for more than two decades, Ecological Causal Assessment gives insight and expert guidance on how to identify cause-effect relationships in environmental systems. The book discusses the importance of asking the fundamental question "Why did this effect happen?" before moving on to "How can we fix it?" The book provides a deeper understanding of different philosophical and analytical approaches, and of cognitive tendencies that can lead to errors. It describes formal processes for causal assessment that are particularly helpful when the situation is complex or contentious. It also describes how to approach the analysis of available data and to optimize collection efforts. The text then details a transparent process that helps others replicate results and can be used to convince skeptics that the true cause has been identified. Several detailed case studies show how to apply the process to streams, watersheds, and a terrestrial wildlife population.Causal assessment is a challenging, but endlessly fascinating endeavor. Success requires the persistence to figure things out and solid strategies for using the information that you have and getting more of the right kind of information that you need. This book gives you just that: the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to successfully unravel tough environmental problems and build the knowledge base for effective management solutions.Read interview about this book with author Sue Norton here: http://www.freshwater-science.org/Publications/Newsletter-In-The-Drift/ITD--Fall-2015.cfm#itdqna