Scenarios and decisionmaking for complex environmental systems

Stephen R. Carpenter; Adena R. Rissman

Treesearch

Scenarios and decisionmaking for complex environmental systems

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stephen R. Carpenter, Adena R. Rissman

Year:

2012

Type:

Proceedings - Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 37-43.

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Abstract

Scenarios are used for expanding the scope of imaginable outcomes considered by assessments, planning exercises, or research projects on social-ecological systems. We discuss a global case study, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and a regional project for an urbanizing agricultural watershed. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of scenarios are complementary. Scenarios can help address several of the currently recognized challenges of sustainability science.

Parent Publication

Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities

Keywords

strategic foresight, scenarios, trends, forecasting, change, environmental scanning

Citation

Carpenter, Stephen R.; Rissman, Adena R. 2012. Scenarios and decisionmaking for complex environmental systems. In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 37-43.