Introduction to Environmental

Monitoring
What will be monitoring?

The environment Broad

Formal definition of what we will be monitoring is the conditions
under which any person or thing lives or is developed

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Natural Environment the natural world in its pure state

Built Environment man-made structures, towns, cities
Economic Environment an economic climate, such as markets
Social Environment Other people, family and groups

According to the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989

Environment means the aggregate of surrounding objects,

conditions and influences that affect the life and habits of man, or
any other organism or collection of organisms.

What is Monitoring?

To watch or check something over a period of time in necessary

changes
Involves a process (start and end point in time)
Asking questions during the project or over time

Environmental Monitoring

Process of monitoring, analysing and interpreting indicators and

causal factors associated with the management of natural resources
and their sustainable use
Allows us to make appropriate decisions
Leads to effective interventions and improvements in the
conservation, management and productivity of natural
resources

What are ecological monitoring efforts?

Repeated field-based empirical measurements are collected

continuously and then analysed for at least 10 years

Why do we need environmental monitoring?

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Provides basic socio-ecological knowledge about processes

Provides baseline date for effective management of ecosystems
To understand impacts of disturbance on ecosystems
Early detection of potentially negative impacts on ecosystems
To identify effects of biodiversity loss on ecosystem services
Fulfill international obligations

Applications of environmental monitoring

Adaptive management
Environmental planning
Monitoring state of environment
Advance knowledge
Pests and diseases
Land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change

Monitoring vs data collection

Many view monitoring systems as data collection mechanisms

Data collection becomes the goal in itself rather than means for
providing info for decision making

Types of environmental monitoring

1) Program management
Maximises the effectiveness of natural resource management
programmes and projects

2) Development planning and policy design

Enhance effects of policies and programs related to natural
resources and sustainability
3) Problem identification and advocacy
Assess and monitor indicators of the status of natural resources as
a basis for allocating resources towards particular problems
4) Monitoring effects of economy-wide policies
Monitor natural resources and their sustainable use to provide
feedback to policy makers on effects of economy wide policies
5) Early warning and interventions
To prevent short-term reduction in the status of natural resources