ABSTRACT
There is a need for flexible problem-solving approaches that can link ecological measurements and data with the decision-making needs of environmental managers. Increasingly, ecological risk assessment is being suggested as a way to address this wide array of ecological problems. This chapter discusses the ambient exposure characterization component associated with the analysis phase of risk assessment methodology. Using surface ozone (O3) as an example, specific guidance is provided on future research directions that are needed to assist scientists and policymakers in improving the quality of data that are available for quantifying this phase of the risk analysis. Future vegetation research efforts should focus on applying real-world O3 hourly data that mimic actual geographic locations. Future research involving attempts to mathematically predict O3 uptake by vegetation with hourly average concentration information must consider the sensitivity of the plant at time of exposure, as well as the limitation associated with the micrometeorological models employed. Results from actual soil moisture, light conditions, temperature, and humidity interactions with plant uptake must be reflected in future modeling efforts. 308 The implementation of research efforts in this area will provide results which can be used in future ecological risk assessments that will potentially be associated more with dose-related statistics rather than exposure-related metrics.
