Address biodiversity at all appropriate levels and allow for enough survey time to take seasonal features into account. Focus on processes and services which are critical opportunity to raise awareness of biodiversity concerns and discuss alternatives to avoid or minimize negative impacts on biodiversity.
The CIAI recommends basing the assessment on the following questions:
At the gene level, to what extent will the proposal have significant effects on:
- Genetic diversity of species, particularly rare and declining species and those with identified as priorities in NBSAPs and/or subnational biodiversity plans?
- Opportunities for species populations to interact, e.g., by increasing habitat fragmentation and isolation?
- Risk of extinction?
- Persistence of locally-adapted populations?
At the species level, to what extent will the proposal:
- Alter the species-richness or species-composition of habitats in the study area?
- Alter the species-composition of communities?
- Cause some species to be lost from the area?
- Affect species identified as priorities in NBSAPs and/or subnational biodiversity plans?
- Increase the risk of invasion by alien species?
At the ecosystem level, to what extent will the proposal:
- Change the amount, quality or spatial organization of habitat?
- Affect plans to enhance habitat availability or quality?
- Damage ecosystem processes and services, particularly those on which local communities rely?
Finally:
- If habitats will be lost or altered, is alternative habitat available to support associated species populations?
- Are there opportunities to consolidate or connect habitats?
Take an ecosystem approach and involve relevant stakeholders (including local communities). Consider the full range of factors affecting biodiversity. These include direct drivers of change associated with a proposal (e.g., land conversion and vegetation removal leading to loss of habitat-a key driver of biodiversity loss, emissions, disturbance, introduction of alien and genetically modified species, etc.); and indirect drivers of change which are harder to quantify, including demographic, economic, socio-political, cultural and technological processes or interventions.
Evaluate impacts of alternatives with reference to the baseline situation. Compare against thresholds and objectives for biodiversity. Use NBSAPs, sub-national biodiversity plans and other conservation reports for information and objectives. Take into account cumulative threats and impacts resulting either from repeated impacts of projects of the same or different nature over space and time, and/or from proposed plans, programs or policies.
Biodiversity is influenced by cultural, social, economic and biophysical factors. Cooperation between different specialists in the IA team is thus essential, as is the integration of findings which have bearing on biodiversity. Provide insight into cause-effect chains. If possible, quantify the changes in quality and amount of biodiversity. Explain the expected consequences of any biodiversity losses associated with the proposal, including the costs of replacing biodiversity services if they will be damaged by a proposal. Find out how these relate to relevant biodiversity priorities and objectives or any legal obligations? Indicate the legal issues that create the boundary conditions for decision making.
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