Decision evaluation for complex risk network systems (DECERNS) software tool

Abstract

Environmental management requires decision makers to integrate heterogeneous technical information with values and judgment. Decision Evaluation in Complex Risk Network Systems (DECERNS) is a computer system with the objective of providing a methodology, computer models and software tools that facilitate decision-making in the field of sustainable land use planning, sediment management, and related areas. DECERNS will integrate risk assessment and decision analysis tools from multiple disciplines (e.g., Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for mapping and data analysis, ecological and human health risk models, economic analysis tools for evaluating costs, and tools for incorporating social choices) into a single user-friendly software package. This chapter provides an overview of the approach used in DECERNS and a case study. Future plans on development and testing of the software tool are also discussed. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.