EMDS

The Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system is an application framework for knowledge-based decision support of ecological assessments at any geographic scale.

EMDS integrates state-of-the-art geographic information system (GIS) as well as knowledge-based reasoning and decision modeling technologies in the Microsoft Windows® environment to provide decision support for a substantial portion of the adaptive management process of ecosystem management.

EMDS uses Criterium DecisionPlus from [http://InfoHarvest.com InfoHarvest, Inc.] and NetWeaver from [http://rules-of-thumb.com Rules of Thumb, inc.] as core components.

EMDS was originally developed by the United States Forest Service, but is currently being maintained by [http://www.redlands.edu/redlandsinstitute.xml the Redlands Institute] of the University of Redlands.

Several citations provide extensive background on the EMDS system and its potential applications. [Reynolds, 2001a] [Reynolds, 2001b] [Reynolds, 2002a] [Reynolds, 2002b] [Reynolds, 2003] [Reynolds, 2005b] [Reynolds, 2005c]

Applications anchor|apps

# Watershed analysis [Bleier et al., 2003] [Dai et al., 2004] [Gallo et al., 2005] [Reeves et al., 2003] [Reynolds and Peets, 2001]
# Wetlands management [Janssen et al., 2005]
# Design and siting of ecological reserves [Bourgeron et al., 2003] [Stoms et al., 2002]
# Conservation [Manzuli, 2005] [White et al., 2005]
# Land classification [Cheng, 2004] [Wang et al., 2004a]
# Landscape restoration [Hessburg et al., 2004] [Reynolds and Hessburg, 2005] [Stolle et al., 2007]
# Wildlife habitat management [Girvetz and Shilling, 2003] [Heaton et al., 2008] [Leuteritz, 2006] [Redlands Institute, 2004] [Wang et al., 2004b]
# Urban growth and development [Johnston et al., 2002] [Puente et al., 2007]
# Evaluation of wildland fire danger [Hessburg et al., 2007]
# Ecosystem sustainability [Reynolds et al., 2003] [Reynolds, 2005a] [Reynolds et al., 2008]

Short citations

Full citations anchor|refs

Bleier, C., Downie, S., Cannata, S., Henly, R., Walker, R., Keithley, C., Scruggs, M.; Custis, K., Clements, J. and R. Klamt. 2003. North Coast Watershed Assessment Program Methods Manual. California Resources Agency and California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, California. 191 pages. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/NCWAP%20Methods%20Manual%20Final.pdf PDF]

Bourgeron, P.S., H.C. Humphries, and K.M. Reynolds. 2003. Conducting large-scale conservation evaluation and conservation area selection using a knowledge-based system and GIS framework. In: Parks, BO, Clarke KM, Crane MP, editors. 2003. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Integrating Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modeling: Problems, Prospectus, and Needs for Research. [CD-ROM, ISBN 0-9743307-0-1] . GIS/EM4 Conference; 2000 Sep 2-8; The Banff Centre, Banff, (AB) Canada. [Jointly published] Boulder: University of Colorado - Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Denver: US Geologic Survey - Center for Biological Informatics, and Boulder: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center - Ecosystem Informatics. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/banff/banff326.htm Internet]

Cheng, C.-C. 2004. Chapter 2. Pages 94-104 in T. Partap, ed. Evolving sustainable production systems in sloping upland areas: land classification issues and options. Tokyo: Asian Productivity. [http://www.apo-tokyo.org/00e-books/AG-01_EvolvingProd/AG-01_EvolvingProd.pdf#page=90 Internet]

Dai, J.J., S. Lorenzato, and D.M. Rocke 2004. A knowledge-based model of watershed assessment for sediment. Environmental Modelling & Software 19: 423–433. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/dai%20et%20al%202004.pdf PDF]

Gallo, Kirsten; Lanigan, Steven H.; Eldred, Peter; Gordon, Sean N.; Moyer, Chris. 2005. Northwest Forest Plan—the first 10 years (1994–2003): preliminary assessment of the condition of watersheds. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-647. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 133 p. [http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/pnw_gtr647/ Download page for PDF - in five parts]

Girvetz, E., and Shilling, F. 2003. Decision Support for Road System Analysis and Modification on the Tahoe National Forest. Environmental Management 32:218-233. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/GirvetzShilling.pdf PDF]

Heaton, J.S., K.E. Nussear, T.C. Esque, R.D. Inman, F.M. Davenport, T.E. Leuteritz, P.A. Medica, N.W. Strout, P.A. Burgess, and L. Benvenuti. 2008. Spatially explicit decision support for selecting translocation areas for Mojave desert tortoises. Biodiversity Conservation 17:575–590. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/heaton%20et%20al%202008.pdf PDF]

Hessburg, P. F. Reynolds, K. M., Salter, R. B., and Richmond, M. B. 2004. Using a decision support system to estimate departures of present forest landscape patterns from historical conditions: An example from the Inland Northwest Region of the United States. Chapter 12, In: Perera, A.H., L.J. Buse, and M.G. Weber, eds. Emulating Natural Forest Landscape Disturbances: Concepts and Applications. Columbia University Press, New York, NY. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/pnw_2004_hessburg001.pdf PDF]

Hessburg, P., Reynolds, K., Keane, R., James, K., Salter, R. 2007. Evaluating wildland fire danger and prioritizing vegetation and fuels treatments. Forest Ecology and Management 247:1-17. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/FEM10345.pdf PDF]

Janssen, R., H. Goosena, M.L. Verhoevenb, J.T.A. Verhoevenb, A.Q.A. Omtzigta and E. Maltby. 2005. Decision support for integrated wetland management. Environmental Modelling and Software 30: 215-229. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/janssen%20et%20al%202005.pdf PDF]

Johnston, R.A., D.R. Shabazian, and S. Gao. 2002. UPlan, a versatile urban growth model for transportation planning. Transportation Research Record 1831: 202-209. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/johnston%20et%20al%202002.pdf PDF]

Leuteritz, Thomas E.J. 2006. Tortoises on the march:modeling and GIS help relocate a threatened species. GeoWorld, May 2006. [http://208.106.162.71/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=119CFE3ACE2A48319AA7DE6A39B80D66&nm=News&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=57A29569E4C247F0B4A8070F710C5E60 online]

Manzuli, A.G. 2005. Knowledge-based monitoring and evaluation system of land Use:assessing the ecosystem conservation status in the influence area of a gas pipeline in Bolivia. Doctoral dissertation. Göttingen: Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultäten der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/manzuli%202005.pdf PDF]

Puente, C.R., I.F. Diego, J.J. Ortiz Santa María. A.P. Hernando, and P.z de Arróyabe Hernáez. 2007. The development of a new methodology based on GIS and fuzzy logic to locate sustainable industrial areas. 10th AGILE International Conference on Geographic Information Science, Aalborg University, Denmark. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/puente%20et%20al%202007.pdf PDF]

Redlands Institute Decision Support Team. 2004. Desert Tortoise habitat potential knowledge base. Redlands Institute, Redlands, CA. 120 pp. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/Desert%20Tortoise%20Habitat%20Potential.pdf PDF]

Reeves, Gordon, H.; Hohler, David B.; Larsen, David P.; Busch, David E.; Kratz, Kim; Reynolds, Keith; Stein, Karl F.; Atzet, Thomas; Hays, Polly; Tehan, Michael. 2003. Aquatic and riparian effectiveness monitoring program for the Northwest Forest Plan. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-577. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 80 p. [http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr577.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M. 2001a. Using a logic framework to assess forest ecosystem sustainability. Journal of Forestry 99:26-30.

Reynolds, K.M. 2001b. Fuzzy logic knowledge bases in integrated landscape assessment: examples and possibilities. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-521. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 24 p. [http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr521.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M.; Peets, S. 2001. Integrated assessment and priorities for protection and restoration of watersheds. Proceedings of the IUFRO 4.11 conference on forest biometry, modeling and information science. 26-29 June 2001, Greenwich, UK. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/greenwich2.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M. 2002a. Landscape evaluation and planning with EMDS 3.0. 2002 ESRI User Conference. San Diego, CA. July 9-12, 2002. Redlands, CA: Environmental Systems Research Institute. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/esri%202002/p0664.htm online]

Reynolds, K.M. 2002b. Logic models as frameworks for thinking about compatibility. Pages 215-224 in Johnson, D.; Haynes, R., eds. Proceedings of the Wood Compatibility Workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-563. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/wcilogic.pdf PDF] Reynolds, K.M. 2002c. Social acceptability of natural resource decision-making processes. Pages 245-252 in Johnson, D.; Haynes, R., eds. Proceedings of the Wood Compatibility Workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-563. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/WCIsocial.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M. 2003. A logic approach to design specifications for integrated application of diverse models in forest ecosystem analysis. Pages 379-385 in: Amaro, A., Reed, D. and Soares, P. (eds). Modelling Forest Systems. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.

Reynolds, K.M., Johnson, K.N.; Gordon, S.N. 2003. The science/policy interface in logic‑based evaluation of forest ecosystem sustainability. Forest Policy and Economics 5:433-446. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/ForPolEcon.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M., and Hessburg, P.F. 2005. Decision support for integrated landscape evaluation and restoration planning. Forest Ecology and Management 207:263-278. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/ForEcolMgmt2005.pdf PDF] Reynolds, K.M. 2005a. Decision support for evaluating the U.S. national criteria and indicators for forest ecosystem sustainability. In: Aguirre-Bravo, Celedonio, et al. Eds. Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere; 2004 September 20-24; Denver, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-37CD. Odgen, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Published on CD-ROM. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/MS&T%20symposium%20reynolds%202005.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M. 2005b. Integrated decision support for sustainable forest management in the United States: fact or fiction? Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 49:6-23. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/compag2005.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M. 2005c. EMDS 3.0: A Modeling Framework for Coping with Complexity in Environmental Assessment and Planning [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/ScienceInChina.pdf PDF]

Reynolds, K.M., S.N. Gordon, and K.N. Johnson. 2008. Using logic to evaluate forest ecosystem sustainability. Forest Criteria and Indicators Analytical Framework and Report Workshop. 18–21 May 2008, Joensuu, Finland. [http://www.metla.fi/tapahtumat/2008/criteria-indicators/keith-reynolds-background-papers.pdf PDF]

Stolle, L., C. Lingnau, ande J.E. Arce. 2007. Mapeamento da fragilidade ambiental em áreas de plantios florestais. Pages 1871-1873 in Anais XIII Simpósio Brasileiro de Sensoriamento Remoto, Florianópolis, Brasil, 21-26 abril 2007, INPE. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/stolle%20et%20al%202007.pdf PDF]

Stoms, D.M., McDonald, J.M., and Davis, F.W. 2002. Fuzzy Assessment of Land Suitability for Scientific Research Reserves. Environmental Management 29:545-558. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/stoms2002.pdf PDF]

Wang, S.-F. , Y.-K. Chen, and C.-C. Cheng. 2004a. Establishment and application of forest ecosystem management decision support system. Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 52: 41-52. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/wang%20et%20al%202004a.pdf PDF]

Wang, S.-F., C.-C. Cheng, C.-C. Chang. 2004b. Applying Ecosystem Management Decision Support System on wildlife habitat suitability assessment. Jour. Exp. For. Nat. Taiwan Univ. 19: 69-76. [http://www.institute.redlands.edu/emds/manuscripts/pdf/wang%20et%20al%202004b.pdf PDF]

White, M.D., Heilman, G.E. Jr., and Stallcup, J.E. 2005. Science assessment for the Sierra Checkerboard Initiative. Conservation Biology Institute, Encinitas, CA.