Toward Holistic Evaluation and Assessment: Linking Ecosystems and Human Well-Being for the Three Gorges Dam

Abstract

A significant challenge exists in assessing the social and ecological impacts of development projects in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Our objective is to elucidate the linkages between ecological change and human well-being, and its importance in integrated assessment policy for development projects, using the Three Gorges Dam (China) as a case study. A collaborative research initiative was undertaken to review and synthesize published information on the ecological and human health effects of the Three Gorges Dam. Our synthesis suggests that the Three Gorges Dam has altered social-ecological dynamics of human health and ecosystem function in the Yangtze River basin with significant consequences for human well-being. Direct impacts to human well-being were grouped into four primary categories, including: (1) toxicological impacts; (2) shifting infectious disease dynamics; (3) natural hazards; and (4) social health. Social-ecological relationships were altered in complex ways, with both direct and indirect effects, positive and negative interactions, and chronic and acute impacts on human well-being. Our synthesis supports a comprehensive evaluation of development projects via integrated assessments of human and environmental consequences. This is probably best achieved through a coupled social-environmental impact assessment to ensure holistic and comprehensive analyses of expected costs and benefits. The role of research can thereby be to elucidate the linkages between ecosystems and human health to better inform the assessment process. A synthesis of the existing information on the Three Gorges suggests that this is best achieved through institutional collaboration and transdisciplinary integration of expertise.

Environmental and livelihood impacts of dams: common lessons across development gradients that challenge sustainability

“…While many of the negative impacts of the project are not yet apparent, substantial degradation of the environment has already occurred and has been compounded by the involuntary resettlement of at least 1.5 million individuals Sleigh 2000, Kittinger et al 2009). Many environmental impacts of the TGD project have been documented (Ding et al 2008, Kittinger et al 2009, Yi et al 2010). The Yangtze River Basin supports approximately 350 fish species, 112 of which are endemic and potentially threatened by loss of habitat caused by the dam (Park et al 2003).…”

Quantitative analysis on the environmental impact of large-scale water transfer project on water resource area in a changing environment

“…After 1980, with the uprising consciousness of environmental protection, people became cautious of the construction of water transfer projects and a series of reports came out concerning the negative ecological impacts of both construction and operation of these projects (Davies et al, 1992;Meador, 1992;Nardini et al, 1997). Since then, countries all over the world have begun to conduct environmental impact assessment of water transfer projects, and carried out thorough research on related environmental issues and ecological influence (Graf, 2006;Morais, 2008;Braatne et al, 2008;Kittinger et al, 2009;Baran and Myschowoda, 2009;Growns et al, 2009;Wu et al, 2010;Olden and Naiman, 2010). At the same time, laws and regulations in terms of the construction and operation of water transfer projects were published so as to mitigate and even prevent the ecological and environmental problems (Yang, 2003;Wang, 2009).…”

Sustainability within the Academic EcoHealth Literature: Existing Engagement and Future Prospects

“…One article stated that "further integration of health impact assessments with the environmental impact assessment process can provide [a] more meaningful cost-benefit analysis and better decision making for sustainable futures" [95]. One simply stated that "the first years of this century have seen significant advances in integrating the many perspectives on what it will take to achieve a healthy and sustainable future" [93].…”