Which statement about data-driven design in EIA is correct?

• A. It uses GIS and modeling to prove performance.
• B. It relies on random sampling without data.
• C. It ignores spatial data.
• D. It only uses historical data.

Answer: (A)

Data-driven design in EIA relies on quantitative evidence, spatial analysis, and predictive modeling to evaluate how a proposed action will perform. Using GIS provides the spatial context to map environmental features, assess exposure, sensitivity, and landscape patterns, while modeling lets you simulate different scenarios and compare outcomes. This combination offers a data-backed way to demonstrate performance, rather than relying on intuition or qualitative judgments.

Other statements miss the essence: no data means no evidence, ignoring spatial data ignores a core part of how impacts unfold across space, and relying only on historical data misses current conditions and future scenarios that matter for planning.