Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment in Developing Countries (United Nations University, 1999, 375 p.): 4. EIA methods: 4.3 Matrix: 4.3.5 Advantages of the matrix approach

Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment in Developing Countries (United Nations University, 1999, 375 p.)

4. EIA methods

4.3 Matrix

		(introduction...)
		4.3.1 Descriptive matrix
		4.3.2 Symbolized matrix
		4.3.3 Numeric and scaled matrices
		4.3.4 The component interaction matrix
		4.3.5 Advantages of the matrix approach
		4.3.6 Limitations of the matrix approach

4.3.5 Advantages of the matrix approach

• A matrix presentation has a better structure framework than the checklist approach. In fact, it makes a summarized analytical presentation of the project and environment-related checklists.
• Matrix structure allows for speculation of impact characteristics, albeit in a subjective way. This provides a gradation in the impacts, thereby providing a focus for further studies, verification, or discussions. It also helps in making priorities on some mitigation measures which are estimated to alleviate the impacts speculated.
• It presents an easily understood summary of a large number of primary impacts.
• It is a generalized but well defined approach, forcing a comprehensive consideration of environmental components and primary impacts.
• It is an easily performed process which can specify the overall character of a project early in the design phase.
• In an extended form, the method can include information about many impact attributes, and clarify the assumptions supporting the assessments.
• Matrices have low resource requirements.