1.7.1 Public and Occupational Personnel Knowledge of the effects of long-term continuous exposure to the SPS microwave transmission frequency is required before deployment of the system. There are no data of this nature currently available, and the necessary experiments are lengthy and costly. Because these data cannot be obtained quickly, it is prudent to consider first the apparently valid effects already demonstrated in the literature. Re-examination of these results under likely SPS exposure conditions can be accomplished in a 2-3 year period and will provide useful information as to the likelihood of these effects being a serious problem for SPS, as well as provide information to use in the design of the long-term experiments. In addition, there are some areas in which no data exist but which can also be addressed in the short term (see Table 1.2). 1.7.2 Ecosystems SPS will require large areas of natural and man-altered ecosystems for rectenna sites. The ecological effects of long-term, low dose exposure to ecosystems cannot be accurately predicted at the present time. Even if the basic biological effects of such exposure were well known, prediction of ecological impact based on laboratory studies of individual organisms would be speculative. Basic ecological field research will be required to answer critical questions for SPS. The ecological research program will be a complex undertaking. In order to assure that all critical issues are addressed, a preliminary phase should be initiated. Phase I (through FY 80) will gather and assimilate data from various sources for the purpose of developing a subsequent research program which may be required after FY 80. The following task sequence is recommended to provide the required information. (1) Determine potential critical ecological issues relating to SPS, (2) Describe the level of knowledge that exists concerning the relationship of rectenna operation to ecological processes, (3) Define technological and ecological data gaps, and determine research needs, (4) Develop a computerized data base of technical
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==