Function evaluation as a framework for the integration of social and environmental impact assessment Roel Slootweg, Frank Vanclay and Marlies van Schooten Social impact assessment and environmental impact assessment have developed as separate entities, but a full appreciation of all impacts requires a thorough understanding of all the biophysical and social changes invoked by a planned intervention. Biophysical impacts also have social impacts, and social changes can cause changes in the biophysical environment, which create biophysical impacts. To date, there has not been an adequate framework for integrating biophysical and social impact assessment. This paper presents a method for such integration using function evaluation as a conceptual framework. This has led to a better understanding of the full extent of human impacts, and the impact pathways that lead from interventions to the experience of impacts.

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This paper considers prey size selection by four molluscivorous cichlids feeding on the intermediate host snail of Schistosoma parasites, Biomphalaria glabrata. Haplochromis ishmaeli obtains its prey by crushing the snails between the pharyngeal jaws, whereas H. xenognathus, H. sauvagei and Macropleurodus bicolor apply both pharyngeal crushing and oral shelling. The fishes crushed significantly more snails with the highest reward in biomass per second of crushing. Oral shelling occurred far less often than pharyngeal crushing. Encounter rates with prey showed significant variations between different size classes of prey. The fish have no overall knowledge of snail availability in a tank. The probability that a snail will be eaten at encounter, calculated from the number encountered and the number eaten, reflects the prey size preference of the fish. Those snails with the highest biomass/crushing-time ratio had the highest probability of being crushed; observed and predicted prey size preferences corresponded well. Although for oral shelling the potential reward in biomass per second is of the same magnitude as for crushing, the probability of successful shelling is very low. Apparently the fish prefer prey with lowest risks.

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A multitude of tools and techniques exists to predict, measure or report on human impacts on the environment. Biodiversity is receiving increased attention but in many cases it is not clear what interpretation of 'biodiversity' these instruments are based on. The Convention on Biological Diversity provides definitions and supporting documents on what biodiversity is. The Biodiversity Assessment Framework is based on these principles and provides an all-encompassing analytical framework to identify the potential biodiversity impacts of any human activity. It is developed as a reference for the private sector to appraise its tools and procedures from a biodiversity perspective. The framework presented is generic and needs further translation into practical instruments, geared toward specific tasks or situations. In this respect it is intended to be used in a broader context than impact assessment.

Abstract. Drainage needs to reclaim its rightful position as an indispensable element in the integrated management of land and water. An integrated approach to drainage can be developed by means of systematic mapping of the functions of natural resources systems (goods and services) and the values attributed to these functions by people. This mapping allows the exploration of the implications of particular drainage interventions. In that sense an analytical tool for understanding a drainage situation is proposed. The process dimension of the functions and values evaluation and assessment is participatory planning, modelled on co-management approaches to natural resources management. This provides a framework for discussion and negotiation of trade-offs related to the different functions and values related to drainage. In that sense the approach is a communication, planning and decision-making tool. The tool is called DRAINFRAME, which stands for Drainage Integrated Analytical Framework. The implementation of an integrated approach posits challenges for the governance, management and finance of drainage, as well as for research and design of drainage infrastructure and operation. Both have to be rethought from the perspective of multi-functionality. The paper concludes with five main policy messages.