271Environmental Analysis Tools
The combination of assessment and measurement endpoints serve multiple
purposes:
• The measurement endpoints are the primary input to the design
of any ecological data collection effort. Any data collected should
be directed at quantifying or otherwise evaluating the status of the
measurement endpoint at the site; otherwise the use of the data is
uncertain at best and frequently useless.
• The status of the endpoint at the site indicates to what degree the
contamination has caused an ecological risk.
• The endpoints are a mechanism to evaluate the success of the
cleanup following remediation.
• The endpoints focus the scope of the risk assessment making it
limited and manageable.