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Toward Holistic Evaluation and Assessment: Linking Ecosystems and Human Well-Being for the Three Gorges Dam

EcoHealth volume 6, pages 601–613 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

A significant challenge exists in assessing the social and ecological impacts of development projects in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Our objective is to elucidate the linkages between ecological change and human well-being, and its importance in integrated assessment policy for development projects, using the Three Gorges Dam (China) as a case study. A collaborative research initiative was undertaken to review and synthesize published information on the ecological and human health effects of the Three Gorges Dam. Our synthesis suggests that the Three Gorges Dam has altered social–ecological dynamics of human health and ecosystem function in the Yangtze River basin with significant consequences for human well-being. Direct impacts to human well-being were grouped into four primary categories, including: (1) toxicological impacts; (2) shifting infectious disease dynamics; (3) natural hazards; and (4) social health. Social–ecological relationships were altered in complex ways, with both direct and indirect effects, positive and negative interactions, and chronic and acute impacts on human well-being. Our synthesis supports a comprehensive evaluation of development projects via integrated assessments of human and environmental consequences. This is probably best achieved through a coupled social–environmental impact assessment to ensure holistic and comprehensive analyses of expected costs and benefits. The role of research can thereby be to elucidate the linkages between ecosystems and human health to better inform the assessment process. A synthesis of the existing information on the Three Gorges suggests that this is best achieved through institutional collaboration and transdisciplinary integration of expertise.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Pierre Horwitz, Xiao-Nong Zhou, and two anonymous reviewers, whose comments greatly improved the quality of the manuscript. This research was supported by the institutional collaboration between the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and Wuhan University, made possible by the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation between Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, USA, and, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, People’s Republic of China. Financial support was provided by both of the above-listed institutions, as well as the National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education, Research, and Training (IGERT) Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Pathogen Biology at the University of Hawai’i (NSF IGERT Award #0549514, PI: B.A. Wilcox).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, NSF IGERT Program in Ecology, Conservation & Pathogen Biology, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, 445 Saunders Hall, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    John N. Kittinger

  2. Office of Public Health Sciences, Global Health Program, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed D104A, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Kristopher M. Coontz & Bruce A. Wilcox

  3. Hygienic Toxicology Program, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China

    Zhanpeng Yuan

  4. Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources & Chinese Academy of Sciences, 578th Xiongchu Avenue, 430079, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China

    Deju Han & Xianfu Zhao

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  1. John N. Kittinger
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  2. Kristopher M. Coontz
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Correspondence to John N. Kittinger.

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Kittinger, J.N., Coontz, K.M., Yuan, Z. et al. Toward Holistic Evaluation and Assessment: Linking Ecosystems and Human Well-Being for the Three Gorges Dam. EcoHealth 6, 601–613 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-010-0285-2

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Keywords

  • Three Gorges Dam
  • human well-being
  • social–ecological systems
  • impact assessment
  • transdisciplinarity