CHAPTER 4 • Methods and Tools to Support eZM
DRIVl NG FORCES
social
development
consumption
tochnkal
dellelopment
population
increase
human ~tivilles
relating to
sources 01
pollution.
depletion of
recources etc.
like agriculture.
fime
etc.
ecology
PRESSURE
STA TE
environmental
condItion (chemical.
geo-physial. bIoIogkaO.they
compromise environmental quality and
aspects of quantity
and quality of natural
resources
earlywaming
indkators
75
IM PACT
the Impact
Isaresult
01 changes
In thest.te:
effocton
effect on
function the
environment
haSfOf
mene.g.fOf
human
activities
effect on
human
health
IndkatOf of threats
the _.surementsof I+ ____ ---'L-_ _ _ _ __ _ L-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ --J
different poIky options
a~ a response to the
environmen~1 probI
CAUSAl (HAJN
IDEHTlFICATlON OF PRESSURE CAUSING THREATS
Fig. 4.3. Pressure state response diagram as applied by European Topic Centre (1996)
Obviously, the diagram is not complete as the effect of responses on the natural
environment should also be taken into account as a feed back loop. A modified version of the diagram was used, therefore, by the European Topic Center on Marine and
coastal Environment 1996, in order to quantify the state of the European Coastal Environment. Figure 4.3 gives a description of the modified PSR diagram used for this study.
Although not explicitly mentioned, both diagrams are implicitly using the concept
of system analysis and system control as a theoretical basis for the analysis. The concept of systems analysis is explained in greater detail in "A systems view of Integrated
Coastal Management" (van der Weide 1993).
The steps proposed to implement the Pressure State Response diagram will be described more in detail below, using the system concept as shown in Fig. 4.4.
4.4.2
Step 1 : Driving Forces and Pressures
Pressures on the system are induced by driving forces, which may be either natural or
induced by human activity. This paper focuses on the effects of human activity only.
Schematically, this process is illustrated in Fig. 4.4a, where the natural system and the
socio-economic system are combined into one production system. The inputs to the
system are the objectives as formulated by the stakeholders, the outputs are the required
goods and services. As resources are used to produce these goods and services, there
is a negative feedback, characterized by th~ upper arrow. Obviously, also non product
outputs have to be considered which have a negative impact on the production system. Most important in this respect is the disposal of waste back into the system. This
is illustrated with the lower feedback arrow. Both feedback arrows will cause pressures
on the production system.
DRIVl NG FORCES
social
development
consumption
tochnkal
dellelopment
population
increase
human ~tivilles
relating to
sources 01
pollution.
depletion of
recources etc.
like agriculture.
fime
etc.
ecology
PRESSURE
STA TE
environmental
condItion (chemical.
geo-physial. bIoIogkaO.they
compromise environmental quality and
aspects of quantity
and quality of natural
resources
earlywaming
indkators
75
IM PACT
the Impact
Isaresult
01 changes
In thest.te:
effocton
effect on
function the
environment
haSfOf
mene.g.fOf
human
activities
effect on
human
health
IndkatOf of threats
the _.surementsof I+ ____ ---'L-_ _ _ _ __ _ L-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ --J
different poIky options
a~ a response to the
environmen~1 probI
CAUSAl (HAJN
IDEHTlFICATlON OF PRESSURE CAUSING THREATS
Fig. 4.3. Pressure state response diagram as applied by European Topic Centre (1996)
Obviously, the diagram is not complete as the effect of responses on the natural
environment should also be taken into account as a feed back loop. A modified version of the diagram was used, therefore, by the European Topic Center on Marine and
coastal Environment 1996, in order to quantify the state of the European Coastal Environment. Figure 4.3 gives a description of the modified PSR diagram used for this study.
Although not explicitly mentioned, both diagrams are implicitly using the concept
of system analysis and system control as a theoretical basis for the analysis. The concept of systems analysis is explained in greater detail in "A systems view of Integrated
Coastal Management" (van der Weide 1993).
The steps proposed to implement the Pressure State Response diagram will be described more in detail below, using the system concept as shown in Fig. 4.4.
4.4.2
Step 1 : Driving Forces and Pressures
Pressures on the system are induced by driving forces, which may be either natural or
induced by human activity. This paper focuses on the effects of human activity only.
Schematically, this process is illustrated in Fig. 4.4a, where the natural system and the
socio-economic system are combined into one production system. The inputs to the
system are the objectives as formulated by the stakeholders, the outputs are the required
goods and services. As resources are used to produce these goods and services, there
is a negative feedback, characterized by th~ upper arrow. Obviously, also non product
outputs have to be considered which have a negative impact on the production system. Most important in this respect is the disposal of waste back into the system. This
is illustrated with the lower feedback arrow. Both feedback arrows will cause pressures
on the production system.