commissioned by the United Nations Environment Program. The strategy states 

 three main objectives of living resources conservation: 



— To maintain essential ecological processes and lite-support systems (such as 

 soil regeneration and protection, the recycling of nutrients and the cleansing of 

 waters) on which human survival and development depend. 



— To preserve genetic diversity (the range of genetic material found in the world's 

 organisms), on which depend the functioning of many of the above processes 

 and life-support systems, the breeding programs necessary for the protection 

 and improvement of cultivated plants, domesticated animals and 

 microorganisms, as well as much scientific and medical advance, technical 

 innovation, and the security of the many industries that use living resources. 



— To ensure the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems (notably fish 

 and other wildlife, forests, and grazing lands), which support millions of rural 

 communities as well as major industries. 



The monograph that follows reflects the research progress of the last decade. It 

 describes information and methods which can assist in effective environmental 

 management and in protection of the values described in the World Conservation 

 Strategy. Traditionally, debates concerning conflicts between economic 

 development and protection of fish and wildlife resources have been characterized 

 more by e.\treme polarization than by discussion based upon analysis and clear 

 display of the tradeoffs involved. Opposing advocacy views will always play a major 

 role in such issues. However, the conflicts in many cases could be narrowed bv 

 applying methods such as those described in this report (despite the fact that the 

 natural variability and complexity of ecosystems make quantitative prediction 

 inherently more difficult than for some other elements of the equation). 



Perhaps a milestone in the growing recognition of the need for improved 

 assessment was the environmental analysis related to construction of the Trans- 

 Alaska Pipeline. The dearth of quantitative and analytical data on fish and wildlife 

 impacts stood in stark contrast to more quantifiable information on hydrologic, 

 geologic, and other environmental factors. This triggered major study efforts to 

 supply much of the missing information, which in turn led to incorporation of 

 various protective measures in the pipeline design. 



The energy crisis has seemed to accelerate recognition of the need to develop 

 assessment capabilities. Such assessments reflect a realization that while energy 

 development is inevitable in many valuable fish and wildlife habitats, adverse 

 impacts can be minimized if environmental values are adequately addressed in the 

 planning stages of development. Indeed, in someareas, development can deliberately 

 or inadvertently enhance fish and wildlife habitat. In some midwestern coal regions, 

 for example, the broken terrain, ponds, and vegetation associated with abandoned 

 strip mine lands provide islands of ecological diversity in areas otherwise dominated 

 by monotypic agriculture. Other examples are the creation of artificial wetlands in 

 connection with phosphate minmg or of shorebird breeding areas with dredge spoil. 



The contents of this monograph deal heavily with physical disruption of habitat as 

 well as with subject matter more traditionally associated with environmental 

 pollution (such as ecotoxicologv ). Many of the developments affecting fish and 

 wildlife habitat involve both physical and chemical modifications mining, water 

 resource development, and energy resource development are examples. To assess the 

 impacts of such developments, it is necessary to take into account both modification 

 of physical habitat features and chemical contamination. 



The relationship between environmental contamination and the natural features 

 that define habitat value also needs much more attention. For instance, it would 

 make little sense to establish water quality standards and pollution abatement 

 programs designed to protect weli-balanced fish populations if the receiving streams 

 were inherently unsuitable to support such populations, either because of physical 



