The ecological risk assessment of the Chinese White Dolphins in Xiamen coastal waters
Keywords:
marine protected area, marine animal, Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-ResponseAbstract
To protect the endangered Chinese White Dolphins in Xiamen coastal waters, an ecological risk assessment was made. This assessment was based on an evaluation framework using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response method, integrated with the guidelines given by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Aside from chemical stressors, other factors (including environmental investment, sewage treatment and others) were also taken into account. An integrated ecological risk assessment was applied using quantitative methodology, including eleven indicator parameters. The results demonstrated that the ecological risk for dolphins had increased with the urbanization process and economic development during 1996–2007. The highest risk occurred in 2003, and the lowest in 1996. Interestingly, the risk decreased significantly from 0.5629 in 2006 to 0.4745 in 2007. It was discovered that there were several crucial risk sources, including fishery outputs, port throughput, industrial effluent, and domestic sewage. These results could serve as a guide for protecting Chinese White Dolphins and other marine species that are being harmed by the booming urbanization process.
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