Evidence-Based Indicator Approach to Identify Environmental Impacts of Cascade Dam Projects: A Case Study of Cascade Dam Projects on the Yangtze River

Policies for promoting sustainable development of dam projects in the world have always been an argument due to negative impacts on ecosystems. How improve efficiency identifying and main indicators environmental impact assessment (EIA) process post (PEIA) is a common topic. Since rapid construction past decades, most China turned operation period. In order identify provide scientific bases decision-making process, we optimized applied decision-support prototype (DSP) toolkit cascade Yangtze River. Through optimization module tools, modified DSP was more applicable China’s dams. Though cannot replace large-scale assessments projects, it would assist EIA PEIA by relevant concerns knowledge gaps at early stages negotiation, so that attention can be focused subsequent studies evaluative processes. On other hand, some new limitations were found our practice. response limitations, propose several suggestions: (1) SBQ: introduce factor balance proportion evaluation result developed dams existing study; (2) consider about interactions between their different spatial scales; (3) EEM, extend parameters generating EEM from areas outside U.S.