Vulnerability mapping as a tool to manage the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction.

ABSTRACT: Various biophysical and socio-economic impacts may be associated with unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction. A vulnerability map may assist governments during environmental assessments, spatial planning and the regulation of UOG extraction, as well as decision-making around UOG extraction in fragile areas. A regional interactive vulnerability map was developed for UOG extraction in South Africa. This map covers groundwater, surface water, vegetation, socio-economics and seismicity as mapping themes, based on impacts that may emanate from UOG extraction. The mapping themes were developed using a normative approach, where expert input during the identification and classification of vulnerability indicators may increase the acceptability of the resultant map. This article describes the

SUBMITTER: Esterhuyse S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5717668 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature