Decision-Support Tools Used in the Baltic Sea Area: Performance and End-User Preferences

Henrik Nygård,Marianne Zandersen,Jacob Carstensen,Bo G Gustafsson,Lisa Bergqvist,Berit Hasler,Johanna Schumacher,Vivi Fleming,Alexander Sokolov,Floris M Van Beest,Gerald Schernewski

doi:10.1007/s00267-020-01356-8

Abstract

Decision-support tools (DSTs) synthesize complex information to assist environmental managers in the decision-making process. Here, we review DSTs applied in the Baltic Sea area, to investigate how well the ecosystem approach is reflected in them, how different environmental problems are covered, and how well the tools meet the needs of the end users. The DSTs were evaluated based on (i) a set of performance criteria, (ii) information on end user preferences, (iii) how end users had been involved in tool development, and (iv) what experiences developers/hosts had on the use of the tools. We found that DSTs frequently addressed management needs related to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, or contaminant pollution. The majority of the DSTs addressed human activities, their pressures, or environmental status changes, but they seldom provided solutions for a complete ecosystem approach. In general, the DSTs were scientifically documented and transparent, but confidence in the outputs was poorly communicated. End user preferences were, apart from the shortcomings in communicating uncertainty, well accounted for in the DSTs. Although end users were commonly consulted during the DST development phase, they were not usually part of the development team. Answers from developers/hosts indicate that DSTs are not applied to their full potential. Deeper involvement of end users in the development phase could potentially increase the value and impact of DSTs. As a way forward, we propose streamlining the outputs of specific DSTs, so that they can be combined to a holistic insight of the consequences of management actions and serve the ecosystem approach in a better manner.

Highlights

Coastal and marine ecosystems around the globe provide a range of services supporting the social and economic wellbeing of communities (Turner and Schaafsma 2015)
Based on the results from the questionnaire on end-user involvement in development and use of Decision-support tools (DSTs), we examined if there are performance differences between (a) tools involving end users in the development phase, (b) tools that have been developed as a direct response to a management need, (c) tools where developers/hosts are satisfied with how tools have been used, and (d) tools where this has not been the case
A total of 42 DSTs were identified as being used in the Baltic Sea and drainage basin (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Coastal and marine ecosystems around the globe provide a range of services supporting the social and economic wellbeing of communities (Turner and Schaafsma 2015). The increasing use of marine resources leads to growing pressures and impacts on the marine environment, compromising the sustainable provisioning of ecosystem services (Airoldi and Beck 2007). Managing the use of resources, while sustaining ecological integrity, is a key challenge in marine environment management. This has led to the development of ecosystem-based management, striving to ensure that marine ecosystems are well functioning and able to support sustainable delivery of ecosystem goods and services (Elliott 2011; Borja et al 2016)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion