「生態風險評估」提供一個具有系統性及原則性之架構與方法，預期能可靠預測生態反應，補強環境影響評估不夠嚴謹之缺陷。生態系因受到人為活動或自然劇變，致使其生命、繁衍或棲息環境可能產生不利反應的潛勢，稱之為「生態風險」。生態風險評估是一種方法論，一種程序，所涉及學門領域相當繁雜，可應用範圍亦相當廣泛；其方法主要核心有二：即暴露度特性分析及生態反應特性分析，先設定評估終結點為生態系之定量影響程度及管理目標值，建立概念模式來串連施壓源與受壓體之互動關係，再藉由科學分析方法來描述可能之風險。其過程可依據資料充足性、不確定性、目標需求、時效性及經費考量，常有必要執行多層次之重覆評估程序。最後評估結果仍需與風險管理間溝通及討論，以利後續執行風險之削減及改善。近期墾丁國家公園龍坑生態保護區受擱淺貨輪滲漏燃油污染，由於清理時效延宕造成污染擴大，危及海岸珊瑚礁生態，擬就墾丁珊瑚礁生態系之溢油污染及清理方式來探討生態風險評估之必要性及建立初步之概念模式。

　　　　　Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) demonstrates a systematized framework for predicting ecological adversity more confidently than what might be of less concern through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It is called “ecological risk” since an ecosystem suffers the potential threats of survival, growth, reproduction and habitat due to human activities or natural catastrophes. ERA is a kind of methodology and process that connects with many institutional scopes which can be applied in all fields concerning people. The major cores of ERA are characterization of exposure and characterization of effects. By the setup of proper assessment endpoints as quantitative effects and management goals with a conceptual model linking interaction between stressors and receptors, the possible risks can be described through a scientific analysis. An iterated tier assessment process is possibly implemented by considering the abundance of information, uncertainty, goal-orientation, time consumption and budget. In the final stage, communication with the risk manager is necessary for future studies in risk mitigation and remediation. Recently, the Lungken eco-protection area of Kenting National Park was polluted by oil-spills from a stranded cargo boat, and precious coral reefs were endangered by sticky oil and the clean-up. An ERA of a damaged coral-reef ecosystem is proposed, and a necessary conceptual model is created for future detailed assessments.