GUIDELINES FOR RISK ASSESSMENT IN WETLANDS

This paper presents some guidelines for risk assessment in wetlands. E cosystem analysis, i.e., understanding how wetlands function on the la ndscape, should be at the heart of the process. Another key point is t o identify human values that derive from these wetland functions. Know ing the relationship between functions and values will greatly improve the problem identification phase and aid in the selection of appropri ate test methods and evaluation endpoints. The result will be more acc urate risk identification and more effective risk management. Risk cha racterization in wetlands should involve a two-step process: (1) utili ze a wholistic, ecosystem approach to develop a detailed understanding of how the system functions, and (2) overlay this knowledge base with three tiers of testing, as appropriate; exposure assessment, biologic al assessment, and ecological assessment. Although this methodology ma y seem too complex for routine application, integrating ecosystem anal ysis may actually reduce the overall time and cost by identifying key biological, chemical, and physical parameters that must be evaluated e arly on in the assessment process.