ECOZONE-II - A DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR AIDING ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT ASSESSMENTS IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL-DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

As development planning has evolved, there has been a move away from a purely financial analysis of the viability/desirability of projects t owards a more holistic view of planning as a multi-objective process o f considerable complexity. Environmental Impact assessments (EIA's) pr ovide a methodological framework within which such holistic analyses c an take place. However, individual planners are unlikely to have the s kills, rime or resources to carry out all the different aspects of a m odern EIA. As such there is a need for computer based tools to aid pla nners and developers in the assessment process and to ensure consisten cy of method and quality between and within different organisations. E cozone II was developed with a view to fulfilling this role. This pape r reviews the development, structure and functioning of Ecozone II, a decision support system (DSS) designed to facilitate EIA's in the sect ors of agriculture, agro-industries and aquaculture in less developed countries. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.