Under some systems of forest management, under 

 intensive agricultural cropping, they can be profound. 

 Research is conducted to understand the functioning of 

 ecosystems so management practices can be devised 

 that will have as little environmental impact as 

 poossible. This research involves studies of the 

 relationships of plants and animals to the factors of 

 their environment, both in nature and under 

 management. The knowledge gained from such studies 

 is used to assess the effects of alternative management 

 practices. 



1971 1972 1973 



$4.21 $3.58 $2.57 



II. Problems of Evaluating Whole Ecosystems 



a. Impact Assessment 



National Science Foundation.— Small research 

 grants consider evaluation techniques for examining 

 the impact of man's activities on other biota. 



1971 1972 1973 



$0 $0.07 $0.20 



Department of Commerce. — Major efforts are 

 designed to evaluate the consequences of 

 environmental modifications of marine ecosystems. 

 Particular emphasis is placed on the effects of 

 dredging, filling, effluent discharges, and construction 

 in freshwater and marine areas. Draft impact 

 statements for the National Environmental Policy Act 

 by other government agencies are analyzed. 



1971 1972 1973 



$2.22 $3.82 $4.82 



Atomic Energy Commission. — Research with broad 

 implications concerning impacts of pollution on the 

 functions of whole ecosystems is supported. Most of this 

 work concerns uerrestrial ecosystems, but some marine 

 and freshwater systems are included. Impact 

 assessment is being made with regard to the structure 

 of relatively undisturbed natural ecosystems. 

 Components of species populations are being described 

 before and after nuclear detonations. 



The effects of high-level radioactive sources on plants 

 and trees of irradiated forests and the effects of low 

 levels of gamma radiation on reproductive and other 



55 



