Science and structured decision making: fulfilling the promise of adaptive management for imperiled species

• DOI: 10.1007/s13412-014-0165-0
• Publication Date: 2014-02-25T03:02:05Z
• Authors: Dennis D. Murphy; Paul S. Weiland
• Keywords: Adaptive Management; Resource Management; Complex adaptive system

Scientists and policy makers have shown great industry in popularizing the concept of adaptive management for imperiled species, principally by promulgating slightly varying, multi-step adaptive-management cycles. Thirty years after appearance scientific literature, has gained acceptance as a readily recognized, conceptually simple conservation-planning vehicle, despite its lackluster track record. Successful must be implemented step-wise, structured approach to incorporating information into decision making. This may necessitate reconsideration overly simplified, cartoonish version being presented makers, resource managers, public. We contend that targets listed species represents complex process can intensive, including demand guidance from research, monitoring, modeling, therefore requiring substantial technical institutional capacity. That considered, potential improve effectiveness efficacy actions provided it is properly implemented.