DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS : BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Within a Partners in Flight conservation strategy Decision Support Tools (DSTs) provide a mechanism for the transfer of science-based information to communities who implement strategies that benefi t birds and their habitats. DSTs link priority land management challenges and bird conservation objectives using audience-specifi c delivery approaches to convey the best available scientificinformation through synthesis and interpretation of bird monitoring data. Effective DST development should be driven by a collaborative process between scientists, decision makers, and educators, through which the decision maker is involved in most, if not all, phases of data collection and delivery. This will assure monitoring results better target and inform the specifi c decisions managers face. We considered characteristics that describe and enhance development of effective DSTs that serve to integrate bird monitoring within management and conservation practices. Careful consideration of these characteristics will enhance the use of bird monitoring within the adaptive management framework, improving decision-making and evaluation of management effects with regards to bird conservation.