Difference between revisions of "EMDS"

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== General System description ==
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{{DSS, Wiki quality control
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|Has flag=N/A
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System name: Ecosystem Management Decision Support
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{{DSS, Name, responsible organisation and contact person
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Acronym: EMDS
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|Has full name=Ecosystem Management Decision Support System
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|Has acronym=EMDS
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=== Brief overview ===
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|Has wiki contact person=Keith M Reynolds
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The Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system is a general solution framework for knowledge-based decision support of ecological assessments at any geographical scale.
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|Has wiki contact e-mail=kreynolds@fs.fed.us
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[[Category:Decision support system]]
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{{DSS, Software identification
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[[Category:USA DSS]]
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|Has software=EMDS.Software
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[[Category:Spatial DSS]]
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}}
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[[Category:Multipurpose DSS]]
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{{DSS, Description
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[[Category:National level]]
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|Has description=The system provides decision support for landscape-level analyses through logic and decision engines integrated with the ArcGIS geographic information system. The NetWeaver logic engine evaluates landscape data against a formal logic specification designed in the NetWeaver Developer system, to derive logic-based interpretations of ecosystem conditions. The decision engine evaluates NetWeaver outcomes, and data related to the feasibility and efficacy of land management actions, against a decision model for prioritizing landscape features built with its development system, Criterium DecisionPlus. CDP models implement the analytical hierarchy process, the simple multi-attribute rating technique, or a combination of the two methods. The system has been used in a high variety of applications.
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[[Category:Regional level]]
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|Has modelling scope=user defined
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[[Category:Stand level]]
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|Has temporal scale=Long term (strategic), Medium term (tactical), Short term (operational)
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[[Image:EMDS_logo2.jpg|thumb|EMDS 4.0 logo]]
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|Has spatial context=Spatial with neighbourhood interrelations, Spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations
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|Has spatial scale=Forest level, Regional/national level, Stand level
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__TOC__
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|Has objectives dimension=Multiple objectives, Single objective
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|Has goods and services dimension=Market non-wood products, Market services, Market wood products, Non-market services
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=== Scope of the system ===
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|Has decision making dimension=More than one decision maker, More than one decision maker/stakeholder, Single decision maker
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The system provides decision support for landscape-level analyses through logic and decision engines integrated with the ArcGIS geographic information system. The NetWeaver logic engine evaluates landscape data against a formal logic specification designed in the NetWeaver Developer system, to derive logic-based interpretations of ecosystem conditions. The decision engine evaluates NetWeaver outcomes, and data related to the feasibility and efficacy of land management actions, against a decision model for prioritizing landscape features built with its development system, Criterium DecisionPlus. CDP models implement the analytical hierarchy process, the simple multi-attribute rating technique, or a combination of the two methods. The system has been used in a high variety of applications<ref>REYNOLDS, K.M., M. TWERY, M.J. LEXER, H. VACIK, D. RAY, G. SHAO et J.G. BORGES (2008): Decision Support Systems in Forest Management. In BURSTEIN, F. et C. W. HOLSAPPLE (Eds.): ''Handbook on Decision Support Systems 2: Variations''. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp 499-533.</ref>.
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|Has forest management goal=multi-functional, user defined
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|Supports silvicultural regime=user defined
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=== System origin ===
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{{DSS, Concrete application
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* EMDS was initially developed by the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service under the direction of Dr. Keith M Reynolds (Pacific Northwest Research Station).
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|Has typical use case=Logic-based evaluation of landscape condition. Topic of analysis defined by user. Scale of analysis set by user. Second stage sets priorities for landscape units. MCDM for priorities defined by user.
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* Through version 3, the system was developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) under federal government contract. 
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|Has user profile=public land managers (i.e. state-owned / federal / cantonal / communal forests), national forest administration, NGO, service providers, local communities, local administration
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* EMDS development is now maintained by a private, non-profit development consortium hosted by the [http://www.institute.redlands.edu Redlands Institute]. The core of EMDS remains in the public domain, but commercial products are used in conjunction with EMDS to support model development (see Related systems).
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|Has country=United States
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* There are numerous real-life applications of the system. Visit [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support the EMDS page] on Wikipedia for a list of EMDS applications and associated publications.
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|Has references about examples of application=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support
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|Has number of users=>100
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=== Support for specific issues  ===
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|Has number of real-life applications=>100
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EMDS is a general solution framework, designed to support a wide variety of applications at any, or multiple spatial scales.
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|Has utilisation in education=N/A
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|Has research project reference=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support
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=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
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|Has tool dissemination=System downloaded from website; training available on request
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Typical areas of application include, but are not limited to, the following:
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* Silviculture
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{{DSS, Decision support techniques used in the DSS
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* Certification
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|Has decision support techniques=EMDS.Decision support techniques
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* Conservation
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|Has knowledge management processes=EMDS.Knowledge management process
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* Restoration
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* Transportation
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{{DSS, Support of Knowledge Management
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* Development choices / land use zoning
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|Has knowledge management processes=EMDS.Knowledge management process
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* Policy/intervention alternatives
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|Has support for social participation=EMDS.Support of social participation
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* Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)
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{{DSS, Support of social participation
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=== Capability to support decision making phases  ===
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|Has support for social participation=EMDS.Support of social participation
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* Design. User-designed logic models are used to assess the state of a system (e.g., watershed condition or wildfire potential).
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* Choice. User-desigend decision models are used to set priorities for management activities among landscape elements.
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{{DSS, DSS development
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* Monitor. The specifications of the logic and decision models collectively define the monitoring requirements needed to support a decision process.
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|Has DSS development=EMDS.Description of DSS development
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* Repeated application of a logic model over time can be used to support change detection and plan performance.
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{{DSS, Documentation
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=== Related systems  ===
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|Has website=http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/
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EMDS is an extension to [http://www.esri.com ArcMap], and is also available in a stand-alone edition built on ArcEngine.
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|Has online demo=http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/
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|Has manual=Yes
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The system uses the logic engine of [http://rules-of-thumb.com NetWeaver Developer], which is a knowledge-based decision-support system for logic-based inference. NetWeaver Developer is used to design the logic models used by EMDS.
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|Has technical documentation=No
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The system also uses the decision engine of [http://www.infoharvest.com  Criterium DecisionPlus], which implements the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) to support resource allocation decisions. CDP is used to design the decision models used by EMDS.
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{{DSS, Non-wood forest products
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|Has NWFP support=EMDS.nwfp
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Projects are stored as either SQL Server of Microsoft Access databases, and spatial data are stored in ArcGIS file geodatabases.
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}}
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== Data and data models ==
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=== Typical spatial extent of application ===
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Spatial scale of an EMDS application is user defined, and with multiple scale interaction (projects can accommodate multiple scales of potentially linked assessments).
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=== Forest data input  ===
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Data inputs are user defined. Data may represent biophysical, social, economic, or political attributes of a landscape unit.
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Units of observation may be forests, stands, points (e.g., individual tree), lines (e.g., roads and streams), or any other GIS (vector) feature class (e.g., region, province, ecotype, etc.). 
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Raster data sets are not currently supported.
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=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
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The user specifies what GIS layers are to be included in a specific assessment, and which logic and decision models are to be run against the specified set of layers.
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Data provided to logic models can be edited "on the fly" by users in scenarios.
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Both the logic and decision components of the system attempt to automatically match attribute field names from the input layers to model data-input fields. Dialog windows in each component present the resulting field mapping to the user for verification and, if necessary, editing.
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== Models ==
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All logic and decision models used by the system are user defined.
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Logic models are designed in [http://rules-of-thumb.com NetWeaver Developer].
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Decision models are designed in [http://www.infoharvest.com  Criterium DecisionPlus].
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== Decision Support ==
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=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
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* Operational planning (least common)
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* Tactical planning
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* Strategic planning (most common)
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=== Types of decisions supported  ===
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*Management level
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**strategic decisions
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**administrative decisions
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**operating control decisions
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* Management function
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* planning decisions
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**organizing decisions
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**command decisions
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**control decisions
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** coordination decisions
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*decision making situation
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**unilateral
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** collegial
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**Bargaining / participative decision making
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=== Decision-making processes and models ===
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*Logic modeling
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*Multiple criteria/ranking
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== Output ==
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=== Types of outputs ===
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* Maps
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* Graphs
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* Tables
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=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
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* The full geoprocessing capabilities of ArcMap are available in the ArcMap edition of EMDS.
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* A limited set of geoprocessing features needed to support the basic functionality of the system (e.g., overlays) are available in the stand-alone edition of EMDS.
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=== Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues  ===
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* Evaluate interactions between different basic information types (biophysical, economic, social).
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*Produce coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales.
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*Facilitate social negotiation and learning.
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== System ==
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=== System requirements  ===
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* Operating Systems: Windows (XP, Vista, and Win7)
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* Other software needed
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** ArcMap for the ArcMap edition or ArcEngine for the standalone edition.  
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** NetWeaver Developer
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** Criterium DecisionPlus
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* Development status: version 4.1 released in December 2009.
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=== Usage ===
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* Federal and university research
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* Federal, provincial, and local government
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* Non-governmental organizations (e.g., conservation organizations)
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=== Computational limitations ===
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Output tables from logic models are limited to 4096 fields.
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Number of records is only limited by user hardware.
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=== User interface ===
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The user interface in the stand-alone edition is highly intuitive and implements the Microsoft Windows workflow paradigm (e.g., tabs and ribbons). The user interface in the ArcMap edition is somewhat more abstract, but likely not a problem for users accustomed to ArcMap.
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=== Documentation and support ===
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The system includes an online help system and detailed tutorials.
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Additional support can be obtained from the [http://institute.redlands.edu/emds user forum ].
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=== Installation and training ===
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* Prerequisite knowledge. Three levels of prerequisite knowledge can be distinguished for using the system:
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** Basic. User only needs to know how to use an application that is already built. Training time for this level is less than one hour.
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** Intermediate. Logic and decision models already exist for the project, but the application needs to be assembled. Training time for this level is about three hours, assuming the user has GIS technical support available.
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**Advanced. An application is to be built from scratch, starting with design of logic and decision models. Training time for this level requires about two days to achieve basic competency in the overall process.
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* Cost:
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** The EMDS core currently is free, and there is no runtime licensing requirement for the logic and decision engines.
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** Contact [http://rules-of-thumb Rules of Thumb] for pricing on NetWeaver Developer.
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** Contact [http://www.infoharvest.com InfoHarvest] for pricing on Criterium DecisionPlus.  
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* Trial versions of the commercial products:
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** Criterium DecisionPlus is available in a fully functional student version (maxiumum model size is limited to 20 objects).
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** NetWeaver Developer is distributed as fully functional "annoyance-ware."
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== References ==
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Please visit [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support the EMDS page] on Wikipedia for a list of EMDS applications and associated publications.
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=== Cited references ===
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<references/>
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===External resources===
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[http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds EMDS web site]
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Latest revision as of 18:21, 17 October 2013

Wiki quality control

Has flag N/A

Name, responsible organisation and contact person

Has full name Ecosystem Management Decision Support System
Has acronym EMDS
Has wiki contact person Keith M Reynolds
Has wiki contact e-mail kreynolds@fs.fed.us

Software identification

Has software EMDS.Software

Description

Has description The system provides decision support for landscape-level analyses through logic and decision engines integrated with the ArcGIS geographic information system. The NetWeaver logic engine evaluates landscape data against a formal logic specification designed in the NetWeaver Developer system, to derive logic-based interpretations of ecosystem conditions. The decision engine evaluates NetWeaver outcomes, and data related to the feasibility and efficacy of land management actions, against a decision model for prioritizing landscape features built with its development system, Criterium DecisionPlus. CDP models implement the analytical hierarchy process, the simple multi-attribute rating technique, or a combination of the two methods. The system has been used in a high variety of applications.
Has modelling scope user defined
Has temporal scale Long term (strategic), Medium term (tactical), Short term (operational)
Has spatial context Spatial with neighbourhood interrelations, Spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations
Has spatial scale Forest level, Regional/national level, Stand level
Has objectives dimension Multiple objectives, Single objective
Has related DSS
Has goods and services dimension Market non-wood products, Market services, Market wood products, Non-market services
Has decision making dimension More than one decision maker, More than one decision maker/stakeholder, Single decision maker
Has forest management goal multi-functional, user defined
Supports tree species
Supports silvicultural regime user defined

Concrete application

Has typical use case Logic-based evaluation of landscape condition. Topic of analysis defined by user. Scale of analysis set by user. Second stage sets priorities for landscape units. MCDM for priorities defined by user.
Has user profile public land managers (i.e. state-owned / federal / cantonal / communal forests), national forest administration, NGO, service providers, local communities, local administration
Has country United States
Has references about examples of application http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support
Has number of users >100
Has number of real-life applications >100
Has utilisation in education N/A
Has research project reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support
Has tool dissemination System downloaded from website; training available on request

Decision support techniques used in the DSS

Has decision support techniques EMDS.Decision support techniques

Support of Knowledge Management

Has knowledge management processes EMDS.Knowledge management process

Support of social participation

Has support for social participation EMDS.Support of social participation

DSS development

Has DSS development EMDS.Description of DSS development

Documentation

Has website http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/
Has online demo http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/
Has manual Yes
Has technical documentation No
Has reference

Non-wood forest products

Has NWFP support EMDS.nwfp
Retrieved from "http://fp0804.emu.ee/wiki/index.php?title=EMDS&oldid=10682"