Adaptive Management What is it Adaptive recognizes change

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Adaptive Management • • • What is it? Adaptive: recognizes change Learns Modifies to

Adaptive Management • • • What is it? Adaptive: recognizes change Learns Modifies to fit new situation. In ecosystem management we need to show this type of adaptive behavior. - seek information (positive or negative) - Reward those who bring it - LEARN from it

Another way to learn! • Three ways we learn: • 1) Tradition: learn established

Another way to learn! • Three ways we learn: • 1) Tradition: learn established “knowledge”- may be wrong!! • 2) Trial and Error: learn “new” knowledge by our actions- limited in application • 3) Scientific experiment: learn “new” knowledge via set rules- limited utility (theoretical vs real world)

Scientific method

Scientific method

Dilemma • Traditional cannot prepare us for “new” ideas • Trial and error good

Dilemma • Traditional cannot prepare us for “new” ideas • Trial and error good but learning is not transferable • Scientific experimentation gives us precise and universal answers to small questions.

Resolution • C. S. Holling and Carl Walters - suggested combining advantages of trial

Resolution • C. S. Holling and Carl Walters - suggested combining advantages of trial and error with scientific experimentation. - Called it Adaptive Management - Treats management as an experiment - Use trial and error in a scientific framework.

Types of adaptive management • Active • Passive • Documented trial and error Give

Types of adaptive management • Active • Passive • Documented trial and error Give brief examples of both

Active adaptive management • Series of steps similar to scientific method but in a

Active adaptive management • Series of steps similar to scientific method but in a management setting.

Example: Forest ecosystem • Problem: how to control gypsy moths - First: Imaginative policy

Example: Forest ecosystem • Problem: how to control gypsy moths - First: Imaginative policy options: Blanket spraying, spot treatments, biological controls, etc. - Choose one. - Model system performance: how well MIGHT it work?

Example: forest ecosystem cont. - gaps in knowledge, what don’t we know from model

Example: forest ecosystem cont. - gaps in knowledge, what don’t we know from model - Management actions: design large scale application that includes reference areas. - Measure performance - Modify if needed - Choose best policy options.

 • Adaptive management is the scientific method on a LARGE scale with trial

• Adaptive management is the scientific method on a LARGE scale with trial and error.

Passive Adaptive Management • Some aspects of experiment are left out. • Most frequently

Passive Adaptive Management • Some aspects of experiment are left out. • Most frequently are: elaborate models and nonrandom treatments. • Done in the constraints of: - Stakeholders - Legal requirements - Court decisions - Economic considerations.

Documented Trial and Error • Trial and error with: - data collection - objective

Documented Trial and Error • Trial and error with: - data collection - objective analysis - Shared learning. Important aspect is learning objectively and then using that knowledge to improve actions (don’t continue doing the same mistake over and over. )

Conditions for successful AM here

Conditions for successful AM here

What do we do if conditions are not right? • Partial application • Get

What do we do if conditions are not right? • Partial application • Get stakeholders to look at problem objectively • Stress learning and adaption.

summary • Different way of combining knowledge and decisions • Not as rigid as

summary • Different way of combining knowledge and decisions • Not as rigid as in the past: I’m right, your wrong! • A way of adjusting objectives, goals as we learn more. • Outcome is hopefully a better overall management process