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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72385
Title: SIMULATION MODELS AS DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS FOR RANGELAND MANAGEMENT

Author
item Wight, J
item Hanson, Clayton
item SPAETH, KEN

Submitted to: Sociobiology
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/1993
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rangelands are a vast, complex, and diverse resource where responses to management are difficult to discern or measure due to the heterogeneity of the vegetation, soils and landscape and the confounding effects of variable annual weather. Management of rangelands has been further complicated by multiple use objectives and public concern and participation in the management decision making process. New and innovative decision support tools are needed to meet the needs of rangeland resource managers. Simulation models have the potential to be such tools. However, they are not commonly used in the decision making process. Complexity of model operation,inadequate validation, lack of data for both model operation and validation and failure to show how models can be used in the decision making process have been major deterrents to their use. Long-term commitments by model developers and interactive support and participation of model users in the development and validation processes will be necessary for successful application of simulation models as decision support tools.