Decision Support For Environmental Management Research Articles

Review of Nonpoint Source Pollution Models: Current Status and Future Direction

Modelling tools are commonly used for predicting non-point source (NPS) pollutants and it is timely to review progress that has been made in terms of the development of NPS models. This paper: (1) proposes a systematic description of model framework and generalizes some commonly used models; (2) identifies the common challenges in model structure and applications; (3) summarizes the future directions of NPS models. Challenges in model construction and application are based on the following: (1) limitations in understanding specific NPS pollution processes; (2) model expansion to different scales; (3) data scarcity and its impacts on model performance; (4) prediction uncertainty due to model input, parameter and model structure; (5) insufficient accuracy for decision-making. Finally, this paper proposes future directions for model development, including: (1) a source–flow–sink framework for model development; (2) standardization for model input and parameter; (3) reliable decision support for environmental management. The findings of this review provide helps in the accurate prediction and management of NPS pollution around the world.

Decision support for environmental management of industrial non-hazardous secondary materials: New analytical methods combined with simulation and optimization modeling

Non-hazardous solid materials from industrial processes, once regarded as waste and disposed in landfills, offer numerous environmental and economic advantages when put to beneficial uses (BUs). Proper management of these industrial non-hazardous secondary materials (INSM) requires estimates of their probable environmental impacts among disposal as well as BU options. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new analytical methods (EPA Methods 1313–1316) to assess leachability of constituents of potential concern in these materials. These new methods are more realistic for many disposal and BU options than historical methods, such as the toxicity characteristic leaching protocol. Experimental data from these new methods are used to parameterize a chemical fate and transport (F&T) model to simulate long-term environmental releases from flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) when disposed of in an industrial landfill or beneficially used as an agricultural soil amendment. The F&T model is also coupled with optimization algorithms, the Beneficial Use Decision Support System (BUDSS), under development by EPA to enhance INSM management.

Development of a System for Decision Support in the Field of Ecological-Economic Security

Studies in recent years have been directed in search of various methods for solving problems of management of ecological-economic security on the basis of economic-mathematical models. However, the development of modern information technology has enabled the introduction of methods based on the data of ecological-economic systems, the use of specialized expert systems, and decision support to justify a wide range of tasks for planning, forecasting and management of ecological-economic systems. Of particular relevance is the establishment of systems for decision support in environmental management. For the implementation of tasks of management of ecological and economic security of the used mathematical apparatus of multi-criteria hierarchical analysis and synthesis. The study revealed the specificity of the category of eco-economic system, the algorithm of hierarchical analysis and synthesis of its components, the developed diagram of functioning of system of support of making decisions and also carried out its program implementation is based on MySQL and a free environment for rapid application development IDE Lazarus. The structure of the software, based on mathematical apparatus of hierarchical analysis and synthesis of components, allowed to solve the problem of automation of procedures for evaluation, comparison, selection and evaluation of the quality of managerial decisions, based on hierarchical analysis and synthesis of indicative indicators of systems of ecological and economic security, in the field of environmental management. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s2p415

Provision of decision support in environmental management

Successful design of environmental decision support systems (EDSS) depends on the accurate understanding of relevant behavioural and decision-making processes in the human mind. EDSS could provide variable types of assistance in various decision steps. Issue definition and criteria setting require articulation of the problem by universal decision frameworks and the Socratic method. Option generation needs creativity support by the provision of various creative environments. In the option assessment step, computers can support by arithmetic computations, deductive reasoning and stimulating intuition. Due to conceptual and technical inconsistencies, pipelining of all simulation tools to a universal environmental supermodel remains impossible. However, a toolbox approach might organise various independent tools in the issue definition phase. Efficient design of artificial intelligence may depend on the involvement of representatives of social control. Instead of leading to sustainable decisions, a functioning EDSS may facilitate ecological degradation, especially in case of long-term and global issues.

An expert system for decision support of municipal water pollution control

This study presents an expert system (ES) for assisting departments of environmental management in their efforts to improve water quality in a city. The ES was built based on the premise that municipal water quality is related not only to the environmental conditions of a city, but also to its economic and social systems. The system called WPC-ES can analyze relationships between industrial water pollution and economic activities of industrial enterprises of a city. The system includes a decision model at its core, which integrates another four closely related subsystems. As an application, use of the system by the environmental protection agency of a city in the Yellow River Basin of China is presented. The results showed that the system could provide better decision support for environmental management. Some lessons drawn from development of the system are useful for other development efforts of ES for enhancement of water quality in developing countries.

Knowledge-based databases and intelligent decision support for environmental management in urban systems

The preservation of the environment has become an important goal in public policies throughout the world. Governments are concerned more then ever about their environmental resources and are establishing policies to control their consumption. To devise and implement such policies, administrators require detailed information about the current state of the environment and ongoing developments. In the regional and urban environmental administration there is a need for solutions which balance ecological and economic objectives. As a result of economic developments and growing awareness of ecological risks, there is a demand for planning and decision strategies in this complex area. Because of the complexity and the enormous amount of relevant data, the decision makers need effective support for their decisions. This support can be given by using environmental information systems enriched with decision support based on knowledge-based systems. The modular and flexible architecture with an environmental knowledge-based subsystem within the object-oriented framework is presented. The prototype of the integrated environmental system with a knowledge-based subsystem as intelligent decision support is installed as a pilot project in regional and urban administration. The first experiences and responses of decision makers are discussed and further development is pointed out.

Extent and environmental significance of vegetation clearance in the Nymagee‐Cargelligo area, western New South Wales

Abstract There has been considerable recent concern over the amount of vegetation clearance and associated environmental degradation risk in the Western Division of New South Wales. An integrated remote sensing/GIS approach was used to provide information required to address this issue. The extent and nature of recent vegetation clearance was quantified to give a basic indication of the prevailing land condition in a study area in the central‐eastern portion of the Western Division. Between 1973 and 1991 there was an increase of 86 per cent in the extent of cleared landscapes. Further interpretation of this indicator with respect to the study period identified spatial and temporal trends critical to understanding the significance of observed environmental change. Change has not been uniform, with environments covering the red‐earth lands fringing the Lachlan River floodplain particularly impacted. The nature of changes was quantified with respect to various land units. The suitability of the approach for providing decision support for environmental management at ecosystem level, and the review of land‐use planning and environment protection strategies, is discussed.

Delivering Flexible Decision Support for Environmental Management: A Case Study in Integrated Catchment Management

Natural resource managers face a significant challenge in making decisions in the light of the potential off-site impacts of human activities. Decision support systems can play a role in meeting this challenge. However, the development of decision support systems that address complex requirements effectively is exacting. This is further exacerbated where those requirements are evolving rapidly. These issues are addressed here in the context of natural resource management of a catchment scale. In order to provide flexibility in the delivery and use of decision support, a toolkit approach is proposed and its applicability evaluated. Three proof of concept decision support tools and their integration into a higher level tool are described. These examples illustrate both the types of decision support that were required by users and the toolkit approach. We contend that this approach significantly enhances the potential for operational use of decision support systems in environmental management.

Multiobjective Decision Support for Environmental Management.

Multiple criteria decision making is a major and rapidly growing field of research. Methods resulting from this field of research are used in this book to develop a Multiobjective Decision Support Systems (MODSS) for environmental management. The primary focus of the book is therefore on the issues and practicalities that arise when these methods are applied to support decisions on environmental problems. Most methods included in this book are derived from the literature on multicriteria decision making, decision anlysis and operations research. Concepts developed in management science are used to describe environmental decision processes and to define the functions of decision support. The author's work on MODSS has resulted in the development of a decision support package, called DEFINITE (DEcisions on a FINITE set of alternatives). A demonstration version of this programme is included with the book. This Demo Disk can be run on a MS-DOS compatible personal computer (version 2.0 or higher) having a 3,5 inch, 720 Kb disk drive and 640 Kb available RAM.

Multiobjective Decision Support for Environmental Management

Journal of Environmental QualityVolume 24, Issue 1 p. 201-202 Book Review Multiobjective Decision Support for Environmental Management Ron Janssen, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 101 Phillip Drive, Norwood, MA 02061. 1992. 232 p. $130.00. ISBN 0-7923-1908-7 David G. Rossiter, David G. Rossiter Department of Soil, Crop, and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author David G. Rossiter, David G. Rossiter Department of Soil, Crop, and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 1995 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1995.00472425002400010033xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume24, Issue1January‐February 1995Pages 201-202 RelatedInformation

Data visualization for decision support in environmental management

Today, environmental managers increasingly rely on advances in remote sensing, computer mapping, geographic information systems and quantitative modeling. These modern technologies have greatly increased the quantity and quality of data available to characterize existing and projected environmental conditions. However these data can be very abstract. The connection between data and the environmental conditions they represent is critical as the goal of environmental management is to achieve desired ends in the environment, even if decisions are largely based on data.

Methodology for Decision Support in Environmental Management: A Survey

In environmental management, the multiplicity of human value-judgment urges us to develop new types of techniques helping decision maker(s) to make the best decisions. Thus, interdisciplinary methodologies, including sociology, economics, medicine, psychology and engineering, seem to be indispensable for the resolution of current problems in environmental management. This paper reviews some kinds of methodologies for decision support in environmental management, which cover optimization models for assessment of environmental and resource policies, multi-attribute utility functions evaluating the preference of the decision maker(s), graph-matrix methods handling the complexity of the environmental problematique, interactive solution techniques for multi-criterion optimization, group decision by the extended contributive rule method, fault-tree analyses for environmental risk assessment, and so forth. Both the merits and defects of each method are made clear throughout the argument.