1.4 Evaluate the duration and frequency of each impact to species

Action: 1.4 Evaluate the duration and frequency of each impact to species

(e.g., short vs. long term impacts; light vs. heavy impacts):
Quantify the duration and frequency of each impact to species;
Assess appropriate levels of duration and frequency of each impact to species
The duration and frequency of an impact help to determine how vulnerable a species is to the impact. Impacts that are short and infrequent are likely to negatively affect species less than an impact that is medium or long-term and frequent. Ecosystems are often unable to recover following large and/or frequent disturbances, changing the structure and function of the system.

Applying ecological principles

Ecological principles represent the core attributes of natural systems that must be maintained or restored in order to support healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, and include maintaining, restoring, or accounting for:

These principles are explained in a reference guide for agencies in California, called the Ecological Principles Guide . This guide also includes a series of case studies and checklists that demonstrate how the principles can be applied to day-to-day decision making.

State GeoPortal

The EcoPrinciples Connect tool links to data from the California Geoportal, which offers an easy and convenient way to search, discover and use authoritative geospatial data resources. This one-stop geospatial shop is helping to improve access to California’s geographic data portfolio and expand the use of those data resources in decision making processes.