Decision analysis and support Active
Natural resource decision makers face numerous challenges in terms of making choices to solve complex management problems. Many of these challenges stem from being overwhelmed by too many choices, uncertain or delayed outcomes, and multiple stakeholders with conflicting desires. Decision analysis (a.k.a. structured decision making) is set of qualitative and quantitative tools for structuring an analyzing the impediments to decision-making with an eye toward overcoming those impediments. At Northern Prairie, we use the principles of decision analysis, coupled with our expertise in ecological analysis and numerical optimization, to help our partners make more transparent and defensible management decisions. Projects our center has supported have ranged from finding optimal climate adaptation strategies for historical resources in the National Parks, helping the Fish and Wildlife Service find solutions to specific Refuge management problems, as well as helping our partners evaluate which scientific information is most important in their decisions. Our staff also participates in training and mentorship programs associated with National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Optimizing historical preservation under climate change—An overview of the optimal preservation model and pilot testing at Cape Lookout National Seashore
Benefits and limitations of using decision analytic tools to assess uncertainty and prioritize Landscape Conservation Cooperative information needs
- Overview
Natural resource decision makers face numerous challenges in terms of making choices to solve complex management problems. Many of these challenges stem from being overwhelmed by too many choices, uncertain or delayed outcomes, and multiple stakeholders with conflicting desires. Decision analysis (a.k.a. structured decision making) is set of qualitative and quantitative tools for structuring an analyzing the impediments to decision-making with an eye toward overcoming those impediments. At Northern Prairie, we use the principles of decision analysis, coupled with our expertise in ecological analysis and numerical optimization, to help our partners make more transparent and defensible management decisions. Projects our center has supported have ranged from finding optimal climate adaptation strategies for historical resources in the National Parks, helping the Fish and Wildlife Service find solutions to specific Refuge management problems, as well as helping our partners evaluate which scientific information is most important in their decisions. Our staff also participates in training and mentorship programs associated with National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Optimizing historical preservation under climate change—An overview of the optimal preservation model and pilot testing at Cape Lookout National Seashore
Adapting cultural resources to climate-change effects challenges traditional cultural resource decision making because some adaptation strategies can negatively affect the integrity of cultural resources. Yet, the inevitability of climate-change effects—even given the uncertain timing of those effects—necessitates that managers begin prioritizing resources for climate-change adaptation. PrioritizaAuthorsErin Seekamp, Max Post van der Burg, Sandra Fatorić, Mitchell J. Eaton, Xiao Xiao, Allie McCrearyBenefits and limitations of using decision analytic tools to assess uncertainty and prioritize Landscape Conservation Cooperative information needs
The Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) are a network of partnerships throughout North America that are tasked with integrating science and management to support more effective delivery of conservation at a landscape scale. In order to achieve this integration, some LCCs have adopted the approach of providing their partners with better scientific information in an effort to facilitate moreAuthorsMax Post van der Burg, Catherine Cullinane Thomas, Tracy R. Holcombe, Richard D. Nelson