A decision-analytic approach to adaptive resource management

Abstract

The barriers to implementation, learning, and adaptation in adaptive management have become legendary, and there are serious concerns about the applicability of adaptive management to “wicked problems” in resource conservation. There are, however, hopeful signs that adaptive management may yet live up to its promise. We suggest that the basic concept of adaptive management is helping change the culture of resource management and, thus, is having an impact far broader than any improvements in resource conditions that may or may not have been achieved in particular applications.