Difference between revisions of "EMDS"
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| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Wiki quality control |
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| + | {{DSS description, Name, responsible organisation and contact person | ||
| + | |Name=Ecosystem Management Decision Support System | ||
|Acronym=EMDS | |Acronym=EMDS | ||
| − | | | + | |Responsible organisation=University of Redlands, Redlands Institute |
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|Type of the owner organization=non-profit organisation | |Type of the owner organization=non-profit organisation | ||
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|Institutional framework=other | |Institutional framework=other | ||
| − | | | + | |Contact person for the Wiki=Keith M Reynolds |
| − | | | + | |Contact e-mail for the Wiki=kreynolds@fs.fed.us |
| + | |Contact person for the DSS=Keith M Reynolds | ||
| + | |Contact e-mail for the DSS=kreynolds@fs.fed.us | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Scope of the tool |
| + | |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. | ||
| + | |Modelling dimension=user defined | ||
|Temporal scale=long term (strategic), medium term (tactical) | |Temporal scale=long term (strategic), medium term (tactical) | ||
| − | |Spatial context=spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations | + | |Spatial context=spatial with neighbourhood interrelations, spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations |
|Spatial scale=regional/national level, forest level, stand level | |Spatial scale=regional/national level, forest level, stand level | ||
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|Objectives dimension=single objective, multiple objectives | |Objectives dimension=single objective, multiple objectives | ||
|Goods and services dimension=market non-wood products, market wood products, market services, non-market services | |Goods and services dimension=market non-wood products, market wood products, market services, non-market services | ||
| − | | | + | |Forest management goal=user defined |
| − | | | + | |Supported tree species=any |
| + | |Supported silvicultural regime=user defined | ||
| + | |Decision making dimension=single decision maker, more than one decision maker/stakeholder | ||
| + | |Participatory planning tasks supported=N/A | ||
| + | |Additional information=Several attributes in this section are marked as "user defined." For several attributes that allow multiple selections, most are also checked. This is because EMDS is a very general framework system in which user-built models specify any and all modeling topics of interest and for whatever spatial scales are appropriate to their problem. | ||
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| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Concrete application |
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|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. | |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. | ||
| + | |User profile=national forest administration, NGO, service providers, local communities, local administration | ||
| + | |Country=Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States | ||
|Number of users=>100 | |Number of users=>100 | ||
| − | |Utilisation in education= | + | |Number of real-life applications=>100 |
| − | | | + | |Utilisation in education: kind of utilisation (demo, use)=N/A |
| + | |Tool dissemination=System downloaded from website; training available on request | ||
| + | |Additional information=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{DSS description, Installation and support | ||
| + | |Status=used (stable and upgraded/updated recently) | ||
|Accessibility=restricted access | |Accessibility=restricted access | ||
| − | | | + | |Can be used commercially=Yes |
| − | |Deployment cost=<= | + | |Deployment cost=<= 1‘000€ |
|Installation requirements=Windows XP or higher; ArcGIS 9.3 or higher | |Installation requirements=Windows XP or higher; ArcGIS 9.3 or higher | ||
| − | | | + | |User support organization=University of Redlands (Redlands, CA) |
| − | | | + | |Support team size=5 |
| − | | | + | |Maintenance organization=University of Redlands (Redlands, CA) |
| − | | | + | |Price=0 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Data, data model and data management |
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|Input data requirements=user defined | |Input data requirements=user defined | ||
| − | | | + | |Format of the input data=database |
| − | | | + | |Data validation=error handling |
| − | | | + | |Format of the output data=table, map |
| − | | | + | |Internal data management=database |
| − | | | + | |Database=SQLite |
| + | |GIS integration=ESRI | ||
| + | |Data mining=N/A | ||
| + | |Spatial analysis=Neighborhood effects can be accommodated through spatial preprocessing in ArcMap prior to logic processing. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, Models and | + | {{DSS description, Models and methods, MBMS, decision support techniques |
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|Forest models=N/A | |Forest models=N/A | ||
|Ecological models=N/A | |Ecological models=N/A | ||
|Social models=N/A | |Social models=N/A | ||
| − | | | + | |MCDM methods=Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) |
| + | |Optimisation package=N/A | ||
| + | |Optimisation algorithm=N/A | ||
| + | |Risk evaluation=user defined | ||
|Uncertainty evaluation=fuzzy Logic | |Uncertainty evaluation=fuzzy Logic | ||
| − | | | + | |Planning scenario=what-if analysis, testing performance of multiple alternative management strategies |
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}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, Support | + | {{DSS description, Support of knowledge management process |
| − | + | |Supported KM processes=Knowledge Identification, Knowledge Generation, Knowledge Assessment, Knowledge Storage, Knowledge Transfer | |
| − | |Supported KM processes=Knowledge Identification, Knowledge Generation, Knowledge Assessment, Knowledge Transfer | + | |Additional information=EMDS uses two complementary KM tools that can be used together or independent of one another. Logic processing for analysis of environmental condition is implemented with the NetWeaver (fuzzy logic) engine. Decision analysis is implemented with the decision engine associated with Criterium DecisionPlus. |
| − | |Integrated KM techniques to identify and structure knowledge=Knowledge mapping (e.g. concept map / mind map / ontology), Database | + | |Integrated KM techniques to identify and structure knowledge=Knowledge mapping (e.g. concept map / mind map / ontology), Workflow, Database |
| − | |Integrated KM techniques to | + | |Integrated KM techniques to analyse and apply knowledge=Expert system (e.g Knowledge Based Systems), Artificial Intelligence |
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| − | {{DSS description, Support | + | {{DSS description, Support of social participation |
| − | | | + | |Participatory planning tasks supported=defining the problem, exploring options, evaluating options, monitoring and evaluating the outcome |
| + | |Stakeholder identification support=none | ||
| + | |Planning criteria formation support=Criterium DecisionPlus | ||
| + | |Planning process monitoring and evaluation= | ||
| + | |Planning outcome monitoring and evaluation=DecisionPlus and NetWeaver | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, User interface and outputs |
| − | | | + | |User access control=yes |
| + | |Parameterised GUI=No | ||
| + | |User-friendliness of GUI=consistency, appropriate presentation, error handling and recovery, guidance and help | ||
| + | |Map interface=2D | ||
| + | |GUI technology=.NET | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{DSS description, System design and development | ||
| + | |Development start year=1995 | ||
|Development team size=6 | |Development team size=6 | ||
| − | | | + | |Number of forest specialists in the development team=1 |
| − | | | + | |KM tools used during the development of the DSS=Knowledge mapping, Workflow, Database, Expert System, Artificial Intelligence |
| − | + | |Stakeholder identification support=none | |
| − | | | + | |Planning criteria formation support=Criterium DecisionPlus |
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}} | }} | ||
| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Technological architecture, integration with other systems |
| + | |System type=extension (based on standard software), client-server (web) | ||
|Operating system=Windows | |Operating system=Windows | ||
|Programming language=C++, C# | |Programming language=C++, C# | ||
| − | | | + | |Scalability=Yes |
| − | | | + | |Integration with other systems=ArcGIS |
| − | | | + | |Related tools=NetWeaver Developer, Criterium DecisionPlus |
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| − | {{DSS description, | + | {{DSS description, Ongoing development |
| − | | | + | |Adaptation effort (man years)=parametrised by the user |
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| − | | | + | {{DSS description, Documentation |
| − | | | + | |Website=http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/ |
| + | |Online demo=http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/ | ||
| + | |Manual=Yes | ||
| + | |Technical documentation=Yes | ||
| + | |References=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_Management_Decision_Support | ||
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=== Scope of the system === | === Scope of the system === | ||
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>. | 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>. | ||
Revision as of 15:24, 27 June 2012
Template:DSS description, Wiki quality control Template:DSS description, Name, responsible organisation and contact person Template:DSS description, Scope of the tool Template:DSS description, Concrete application Template:DSS description, Installation and support Template:DSS description, Data, data model and data management Template:DSS description, Models and methods, MBMS, decision support techniques Template:DSS description, Support of knowledge management process Template:DSS description, Support of social participation Template:DSS description, User interface and outputs Template:DSS description, System design and development Template:DSS description, Technological architecture, integration with other systems Template:DSS description, Ongoing development Template:DSS description, Documentation
Contents
Scope of the system
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[1].
System origin
- EMDS was initially developed by the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service under the direction of Dr. Keith M Reynolds (Pacific Northwest Research Station).
- Through version 3, the system was developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) under federal government contract.
- EMDS development is now maintained by a private, non-profit development consortium hosted by the 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).
- There are numerous real-life applications of the system. Visit the EMDS page on Wikipedia for a list of EMDS applications and associated publications.
Support for specific issues
EMDS is a general solution framework, designed to support a wide variety of applications at any, or multiple spatial scales.
Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type
Typical areas of application include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Silviculture
- Certification
- Conservation
- Restoration
- Transportation
- Development choices / land use zoning
- Policy/intervention alternatives
- Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)
Capability to support decision making phases
- Design. User-designed logic models are used to assess the state of a system (e.g., watershed condition or wildfire potential).
- Choice. User-desigend decision models are used to set priorities for management activities among landscape elements.
- Monitor. The specifications of the logic and decision models collectively define the monitoring requirements needed to support a decision process.
- Repeated application of a logic model over time can be used to support change detection and plan performance.
Related systems
EMDS is an extension to ArcMap, and is also available in a stand-alone edition built on ArcEngine.
The system uses the logic engine of 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.
The system also uses the decision engine of 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.
Projects are stored as either SQL Server of Microsoft Access databases, and spatial data are stored in ArcGIS file geodatabases.
Data and data models
Typical spatial extent of application
Spatial scale of an EMDS application is user defined, and with multiple scale interaction (projects can accommodate multiple scales of potentially linked assessments).
Forest data input
Data inputs are user defined. Data may represent biophysical, social, economic, or political attributes of a landscape unit.
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.).
Raster data sets are not currently supported.
Type of information input from user (via GUI)
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.
Data provided to logic models can be edited "on the fly" by users in scenarios.
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.
Models
All logic and decision models used by the system are user defined.
Logic models are designed in NetWeaver Developer.
Decision models are designed in Criterium DecisionPlus.
Decision Support
Typical temporal scale of application
- Operational planning (least common)
- Tactical planning
- Strategic planning (most common)
Types of decisions supported
- Management level
- strategic decisions
- administrative decisions
- operating control decisions
- Management function
- planning decisions
- organizing decisions
- command decisions
- control decisions
- coordination decisions
- decision making situation
- unilateral
- collegial
- Bargaining / participative decision making
Decision-making processes and models
- Logic modeling
- Multiple criteria/ranking
Output
Types of outputs
- Maps
- Graphs
- Tables
Spatial analysis capabilities
- The full geoprocessing capabilities of ArcMap are available in the ArcMap edition of EMDS.
- 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.
Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues
- Evaluate interactions between different basic information types (biophysical, economic, social).
- Produce coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales.
- Facilitate social negotiation and learning.
System
System requirements
- Operating Systems: Windows (XP, Vista, and Win7)
- Other software needed
- ArcMap for the ArcMap edition or ArcEngine for the standalone edition.
- NetWeaver Developer
- Criterium DecisionPlus
- Development status: version 4.1 released in December 2009.
Usage
- Federal and university research
- Federal, provincial, and local government
- Non-governmental organizations (e.g., conservation organizations)
Computational limitations
Output tables from logic models are limited to 4096 fields.
Number of records is only limited by user hardware.
User interface
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.
Documentation and support
The system includes an online help system and detailed tutorials.
Additional support can be obtained from the user forum .
Installation and training
- Prerequisite knowledge. Three levels of prerequisite knowledge can be distinguished for using the system:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cost:
- The EMDS core currently is free, and there is no runtime licensing requirement for the logic and decision engines.
- Contact Rules of Thumb for pricing on NetWeaver Developer.
- Contact InfoHarvest for pricing on Criterium DecisionPlus.
- Trial versions of the commercial products:
- Criterium DecisionPlus is available in a fully functional student version (maxiumum model size is limited to 20 objects).
- NetWeaver Developer is distributed as fully functional "annoyance-ware."
References
Please visit the EMDS page on Wikipedia for a list of EMDS applications and associated publications.
Cited references
- ↑ 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.
