Structured Decision Making: Case Studies in Natural Resource Management(Wildlife Management and Conservation)

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

Table of Contents:
Contributors Foreword, by Hugh P. Possingham Introduction 1 Decision Analysis for Managing Public Natural Resources Michael C. Runge and Ellen A. Bean Part 1. Structuring Decisions 2 Introduction to Structuring Decisions David R. Smith 3 Allocating Funds under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan Michael C. Runge 4 Keeping Hawai'i's Forest Birds One Step Ahead of Disease in a Warming World Eben H. Paxton and Jim Kraus Part 2. Addressing Trade-Offs 5 Introduction to Multi-criteria Decision Analysis Sarah J. Converse 6 Strategic Conservation of an Imperiled Freshwater Mussel, the Dwarf Wedgemussel, in North Carolina David R. Smith and Sarah E. McRae 7 Spawning Closures for Coral Reef Fin Fish Terry Walshe and Stephanie Slade 8 Managing Water for Oil Sands Mining Dan W. Ohlson, Andrew J. Paul, and Graham E. Long Part 3. Addressing Resource Allocation 9 Introduction to Resource Allocation James E. Lyons 10 Resource Allocation for Coastal Wetland Management: Confronting Uncertainty about Sea-Level Rise James E. Lyons, Kevin S. Kalasz, Gregory Breese, and Clint W. Boal 11 Reserve Network Design for Prairie-Dependent Taxa in South Puget Sound Sarah J. Converse, Beth Gardner, and Steven Morey 12 Optimizing Resource Allocation for Managing a Shrub Invading Alpine Peatlands in Australia Joslin L. Moore and Charlie Pascoe Part 4. Addressing Risk 13 Introduction to Risk Analysis Michael C. Runge and Sarah J. Converse 14 Addressing Disease Risk to Develop a Health Program for Bighorn Sheep in Montana Sarah N. Sells, Michael S. Mitchell, and Justin A. Gude 15 Hedging against Uncertainty When Granting Permits for Mitigation Jean Fitts Cochrane, Taber D. Allison, and Eric V. Lonsdorf 16 Dealing with Risk Attitudes in Supplementary Feeding of Mauritius Olive White-Eyes Stefano Canessa, Christelle Ferrière, Nicolas Zuël, and John G. Ewen Part 5. Addressing Knowledge Gaps 17 Introduction to Prediction and the Value of Information David R. Smith 18 Developing Performance Criteria for a Population Model for Indiana Bat Conservation Jennifer A. Szymanski and Lori B. Pruitt 19 Using a Research Experiment to Reduce Key Uncertainty about Managing Vernal Pool Habitats for Obligate Amphibian Species Adam W. Green and Larissa L. Bailey 20 Prioritizing Uncertainties to Improve Management of a Reintroduction Program Sarah J. Converse Part 6. Addressing Linked and Dynamic Decisions 21 Introduction to Linked and Dynamic Decisions Michael C. Runge 22 Restoration of Wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region Victoria M. Hunt, Melinda G. Knutson, and Eric V. Lonsdorf 23 An Adaptive Approach to Vegetation Management in Native Prairies of the Northern Great Plains Clinton T. Moore, Jill J. Gannon, Terry L. Shaffer, and Cami S. Dixon 24 Decision Implementation and the Double-Loop Process in Adaptive Management of Horseshoe Crab Harvest in Delaware Bay Conor P. McGowan, James E. Lyons, and David R. Smith Index