Bridging Analytical Gaps in Environmental Impact Assessment: Integrating DPSIR and Ecosystem Services for Ecological Evaluation

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a key instrument for integrating environmental considerations into development planning; however, its effectiveness remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study evaluated the quality of ecological information across all stages of the EIA process, including baseline studies, impact assessment, mitigation measures, and monitoring programs. A total of 121 Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) from land development projects in central Thailand (2019–2024) were analyzed using structured content analysis. The results indicated that baseline ecological studies were generally comprehensive, particularly in species identification and habitat characterization. However, impact assessments remained largely descriptive, with limited use of quantitative and spatial analytical methods. Ecological mitigation measures were often generic, weakly linked to identified impacts, and particularly unclear in land development projects, indicating limited alignment with the mitigation hierarchy. Monitoring programs were even less frequently included and rarely functioned as a mechanism for evaluating mitigation effectiveness or supporting adaptive management. To address these gaps, this study proposes an integrated DPSIR–EIA–Ecosystem Services framework that strengthens linkages across EIA stages and enhances the analytical and decision-support capacity of ecological assessment for sustainable environmental governance.