Provides and analyzes real examples of how structured decision making
(SDM) can help solve complex problems involving natural resources.
When faced with complicated, potentially controversial decisions that
affect our environment, many resource management agencies have come to
realize the value of structured decision making (SDM)--the systematic
use of principles and tools of decision analysis. Few professionals,
however, have extensive experience implementing SDM. Structured
Decision Making provides key information to both current adopters of
the method and those who are deploying it for the first time by
demonstrating the formal use of decision analysis to support difficult,
real-world natural resource management decisions. Drawing on case
studies from multiple public agencies in the United States, Canada,
Australia, and Mauritius, the editors present an overview of decision
analysis, a classification of decision types, and a catalog of decision
analysis methods. Dozens of detailed charts and maps help contextualize
the material.
These case studies examine a rich variety of topics, including
- keeping forest birds free from disease
- conserving imperiled freshwater mussels
- managing water for oil sands mining
- dealing with coastal wetlands in the face of sea-level rise
- designing networks for prairie-dependent taxa
- combatting invasive alpine shrubs
- managing vernal pool habitats for obligate amphibian species
- and much more
Aimed at decision makers tackling natural resource challenges in
government agencies around the world, as well as advanced undergraduate
and graduate students preparing to work in natural resource management,
Structured Decision Making shows how SDM can be implemented to achieve
optimal outcomes that integrate social values and scientific
understanding.
Contributors: Taber D. Allison, Larissa L. Bailey, Ellen A. Bean, Clint
W. Boal, Gregory Breese, Stefano Canessa, Jean Fitts Cochrane, Sarah J.
Converse, Cami S. Dixon, John G. Ewen, Christelle Ferrière, Jill J.
Gannon, Beth Gardner, Adam W. Green, Justin A. Gude, Victoria M. Hunt,
Kevin S. Kalasz, Melinda G. Knutson, Jim Kraus, Graham Long, Eric V.
Lonsdorf, James E. Lyons, Conor P. McGowan, Sarah E. McRae, Michael S.
Mitchell, Clinton T. Moore, Joslin L. Moore, Steven Morey, Dan W.
Ohlson, Charlie Pascoe, Andrew Paul, Eben H. Paxton, Lori B. Pruitt,
Michael C. Runge, Sarah N. Sells, Terry L. Shaffer, Stephanie Slade,
David R. Smith, Jennifer A. Szymanski, Terry Walshe, Nicolas Zuël
