Dealing with Scientific and Technical Complexity
 |
Environmental and natural resource management, whether or not collaborative or ecosystem-based, is often made difficult by the reality of issue complexity, uncertainty, and risk. To a large extent, what your group is able to accomplish depends on how you are able to manage this scientific dimension. Effectively managing the science will help both inform and lend credibility to your effort. |
There are multiple ways that collaborative groups enhance their ability to manage the challenges posed by scientific complexity. They seek expertise and assistance from multiple sources, including guest speakers and outside experts. They employ technologies such as GIS and centralized information systems to organize information and answer questions. They also find ways to organize their processes to involve coordinators or specialized task forces that facilitate exploration and understanding of scientific issues. As one participant in a collaborative process commented, "It is not reasonable to expect the watershed group staff to be science experts in every area that you need it, so the key is to get people with expertise to be the technical resources for the group."
|
This site was developed by the Ecosystem Management Initiative through a partnership with the US Forest Service and the US Department of Interior. Read more.
|
