can enter this decision-making continuum at different points in the process.
For example, a cycle typically occurs in situations where initial management
objectives are expressed that yield a range of potential alternative management scenarios. In such cases, the best from among a set of alternatives
is assessed on the basis of available data, stakeholder requirements, and
the state of scientific understanding at the time. The effectiveness of the
selected alternative is then monitored. Such monitoring produces new
information that is used, along with any scientific advancements and
changes in stakeholder requirements, to propose changes to the management alternative being employed. This cycle is then repeated in a fashion
that allows management to adapt as a function of societal, ecological, and
economic factors.
The decision maker’s toolkit should provide an integrated suite of tools
that purposefully follows and supports the elements of the decision model.
As such, this toolkit should provide standard templates for data presentation and problem formulation for different decision types. For example,
specific templates should be developed that would support regulatory, risk
assessment, and habitat restoration decisions. Clearly, there are many other
resource decisions that must be supported, and the tools within the
decision-making toolkit should be developed in a modular fashion so they
can be efficiently combined to support “real-world,” site-specific decision
making.
12.6 Modeler’s Toolkit
The modeling and assessment toolkit consists of the computational components that represent the physical and biological facets of the system being
managed. Of the four toolkits discussed in this chapter, more advances have
been made for the modeler’s toolkit than the others (see Sidebars 12.1 and
12.2). Numerous models are available that could be integrated into such a
toolkit, and we will not attempt to list them or recommend a particular
subset. Instead, we will discuss issues related to constructing a modeling and
assessment toolkit with emphasis on its functionality, some potential future
developments, and the role of standards in developing a toolkit that will
maximize accessibility of the components and a degree of confidence in the
results produced.
The selection and implementation of the environmental models contained within this toolkit generally fall under the responsibility of modelers rather than decision makers, managers, or stakeholders. These modelers
usually find the best models and assessment tools for the job and identify
the data needed to run the model. Once the model is constructed and integrated into the toolkit, the modeling results would then be exported to the
other toolkits as decision variables and information.Therefore, the manager
or stakeholders faced with making an environmental decision may not be
12. Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management
237
For example, a cycle typically occurs in situations where initial management
objectives are expressed that yield a range of potential alternative management scenarios. In such cases, the best from among a set of alternatives
is assessed on the basis of available data, stakeholder requirements, and
the state of scientific understanding at the time. The effectiveness of the
selected alternative is then monitored. Such monitoring produces new
information that is used, along with any scientific advancements and
changes in stakeholder requirements, to propose changes to the management alternative being employed. This cycle is then repeated in a fashion
that allows management to adapt as a function of societal, ecological, and
economic factors.
The decision maker’s toolkit should provide an integrated suite of tools
that purposefully follows and supports the elements of the decision model.
As such, this toolkit should provide standard templates for data presentation and problem formulation for different decision types. For example,
specific templates should be developed that would support regulatory, risk
assessment, and habitat restoration decisions. Clearly, there are many other
resource decisions that must be supported, and the tools within the
decision-making toolkit should be developed in a modular fashion so they
can be efficiently combined to support “real-world,” site-specific decision
making.
12.6 Modeler’s Toolkit
The modeling and assessment toolkit consists of the computational components that represent the physical and biological facets of the system being
managed. Of the four toolkits discussed in this chapter, more advances have
been made for the modeler’s toolkit than the others (see Sidebars 12.1 and
12.2). Numerous models are available that could be integrated into such a
toolkit, and we will not attempt to list them or recommend a particular
subset. Instead, we will discuss issues related to constructing a modeling and
assessment toolkit with emphasis on its functionality, some potential future
developments, and the role of standards in developing a toolkit that will
maximize accessibility of the components and a degree of confidence in the
results produced.
The selection and implementation of the environmental models contained within this toolkit generally fall under the responsibility of modelers rather than decision makers, managers, or stakeholders. These modelers
usually find the best models and assessment tools for the job and identify
the data needed to run the model. Once the model is constructed and integrated into the toolkit, the modeling results would then be exported to the
other toolkits as decision variables and information.Therefore, the manager
or stakeholders faced with making an environmental decision may not be
12. Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management
237