Data from: Vulnerability mapping as a tool to manage the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction

Various biophysical and socio-economic impacts may be associated with unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction. A vulnerability map may assist governments during environmental assessments, spatial planning and the regulation of UOG extraction, as well as decision-making around UOG extraction in fragile areas. A regional interactive vulnerability map was developed for UOG extraction in South Africa. This map covers groundwater, surface water, vegetation, socio-economics and seismicity as mapping themes, based on impacts that may emanate from UOG extraction. The mapping themes were developed using a normative approach, where expert input during the identification and classification of vulnerability indicators may increase the acceptability of the resultant map. This article describes the development of the interactive vulnerability map for South Africa, where UOG extraction is not yet allowed and where regulations are still being developed to manage this activity. The importance and policy implications of using vulnerability maps for managing UOG extraction impacts in countries where UOG extraction is planned are highlighted in this article.

非常规油气（Unconventional Oil and Gas, UOG）开采可能伴随各类生物物理与社会经济层面的影响。脆弱性地图可协助政府开展环境评估、空间规划与UOG开采监管工作，同时为脆弱地区的UOG开采决策提供支撑。研究团队针对南非的UOG开采场景，开发了一套区域交互式脆弱性地图。该地图以UOG开采可能引发的各类影响为依据，选取地下水、地表水、植被、社会经济与地震活动作为制图主题。制图主题采用规范性方法构建，在脆弱性指标的识别与分类环节纳入专家意见，可有效提升最终成果地图的认可度。本文详细阐述了南非交互式脆弱性地图的构建全流程——目前南非尚未允许UOG开采，相关监管规程仍处于制定阶段。本文还着重探讨了在规划实施UOG开采的国家中，利用脆弱性地图管控UOG开采影响的重要性及其政策启示。