Etapy oceny środowiska przyrodniczego oraz ich znaczenie w procesie planistycznym

Stages in the assessment of the natural environment and their significance in the planning process. Theoretical and methodological aspects of assessments of the natural environment have been widely discussed in the literature for years. Most studies emphasise the huge practical dimension of this issue. especially in the context of the changes recently being introduced into the Polish physical planning system whose effect seems to be an increase in the significance of natural factors in planning documents.management, and improvement in the quality of life of human communities. The most important stages in this process embrace: -an analysis for which the starting point is the development of a consistent and complete bank of source data about the environment, -a synthesis and a landscape-ecological forecast with indications of the possibilities of a harmonious development of natural (ecological) and socio-economic functions as well as the scope and I level of their implementation within a specified time horizon.The paper offers an overview of the chief scientific theories applicable to environmental assessment and an appraisal of their utility value. Special attention was given to problems involved in the selection of source materials about the environment (their availability, relevance, cognitive and practical utility) as well as the choice of the criteria and methods of assessment. Emphasis was also put on the great importance of the analysis, synthesis and forecast in the process of environmental assessment as well as on their dvnamic and functional nature.