Recent advances in applying decision science to managing national forests
Forest Ecology and Management
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Abstract
Management of federal public forests to meet sustainability goals and multiple use regulations is an immense challenge. To succeed, we suggest use of formal decision science procedures and tools in the context of structured decision making (SDM). SDM entails four stages: problem structuring (framing the problem and defining objectives and evaluation criteria), problem analysis (defining alternatives, evaluating likely consequences, identifying key uncertainties, and analyzing tradeoffs), decision point (identifying the preferred alternative), and implementation and monitoring the preferred alternative with adaptive management feedbacks. We list a wide array of models, techniques, and tools available for each stage, and provide three case studies of their selected use in National Forest land management and project plans. Successful use of SDM involves participation by decision-makers, analysts, scientists, and stakeholders. We suggest specific areas for training and instituting SDM to foster transparency, rigor, clarity, and inclusiveness in formal decision processes regarding management of national forests.
Suggested Citation
Marcot, B., Thompson, M.P., Runge, M.C., Thompson, F., McNulty, S., Cleaves, D., Tomosy, M., Fisher, L.A., and Andrew, B., 2012, Recent advances in applying decision science to managing national forests: Forest Ecology and Management, v. 285, p. 123-132, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.08.024.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Recent advances in applying decision science to managing national forests |
| Series title | Forest Ecology and Management |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.foreco.2012.08.024 |
| Volume | 285 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Publisher location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Forest Ecology and Management |
| First page | 123 |
| Last page | 132 |
| Country | United States |