Recent developments in decision analysis for forest management.

Abstract

Decision analysis in forestry has undergone a series of changes over the last decade. This chapter provides an overview of the changes and developments in forestry, in terms of both management philosophies and methodologies. In presenting these developments, two types of decision-making techniques are reviewed. One is based on 'hard systems' or scientific method and the other is based on a problem structuring technique. The history and evolution of management philosophies are also reviewed, leading to the current management paradigm, which can best be described as participatory. Current techniques in participatory decision-making are then presented, particularly those that follow the value exploration or problem structuring approach.