Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
Environ Manage. 2011 Feb;47(2):161-72. doi: 10.1007/s00267-010-9597-9. Epub 2010 Dec 12.
The Endangered Species Act is intended to conserve at-risk species and the ecosystems upon which they depend, and it is premised on the notion that if the wildlife agencies that are charged with implementing the statute use the best available scientific information, they can successfully carry out this intention. We assess effects analysis as a tool for using best science to guide agency decisions under the Act. After introducing effects analysis, we propose a framework that facilitates identification and use of the best available information in the development of agency determinations. The framework includes three essential steps--the collection of reliable scientific information, the critical assessment and synthesis of available data and analyses derived from those data, and the analysis of the effects of actions on listed species and their habitats. We warn of likely obstacles to rigorous, structured effect analyses and describe the extent to which independent scientific review may assist in overcoming these obstacles. We conclude by describing eight essential elements that are required for a successful effects analysis.
《濒危物种法》旨在保护濒危物种及其赖以生存的生态系统，其前提是，如果负责执行该法规的野生动物机构利用现有的最佳科学信息，就可以成功地实现这一目标。我们将影响分析评估作为一种工具，用于在该法案下利用最佳科学来指导机构决策。在介绍了影响分析之后，我们提出了一个框架，以促进在制定机构决定时识别和利用最佳现有信息。该框架包括三个基本步骤——收集可靠的科学信息、对现有数据和从这些数据中得出的分析进行严格的评估和综合，以及分析行动对列入名单的物种及其栖息地的影响。我们警告可能存在的严格、结构化影响分析的障碍，并描述独立科学审查在多大程度上有助于克服这些障碍。最后，我们描述了成功进行影响分析所需的八个基本要素。
