Guild theory development as a mechanism for assessing environmental impact

The following proposed procedures are designed, through the use of guild theory, to allow relatively accurate, quantifiable predictions of environmental impact, which can be aimed at both quantitative (biomass) and qualitative (diversity) aspects of the flora and fauna of the proposed area of impact. Examination of impact on plant and animal guilds should allow determination of the cause-effect relationships between the impacting activity and the environment, thus giving insight into potential mitigating procedures. I am proposing that guilds designed from an applied perspective can be used as an analytical and predictive tool in environmental decision-making procedures. The need for such a tool arose from some of the problems faced by environmental personnel who are required to prepare environmental statements and assessments. First, the data gathering for many statements and assessments is accomplished by initially obtaining, through fieldwork or literature searches or both, exhaustive lists of organisms known or suspected to exist in the vicinity of the proposed activity. This information may then be expanded to include density, diversity, dominance, or frequency per habitat when, and if, funds are available. Representative habitats are usually inventoried as to species present, with those habitats of small acreage but significant diversity being bypassed because of lack of funds. Though exhaustiv e , these data are generally collected during a brief span of time. This misrepresents those species of varying seasonal occurrence, and some species, although present, are effectively unidentifiable except during certain seasons. Using this information about the area and previous experience and training, the investigator then forms an educated opinion as to the likely magnitude of the impact. This is a form of guessing, though educated, and can eventually lead to erroneous decisions.