ABSTRACT
Because of the complexity of large development projects and ecosystems, the result is usually a long-list of stressor-response relationshipsa. These are often interrelated and have a netlike rather than a linear structure, as one stressor may lead to multiple exposures and may also cause secondary, indirect effects. The establishment of single stressor-response relationships should therefore be understood as a simplified conceptual approach which is used to systematically predict and investigate the key relationships between stressors and receptors. The accuracy of this approach depends on how well information on stressor sources, exposure pathways and ecological effects is available.
