Abstract
Complex environmental challenges include elements of social and cultural viewpoints as well as the often-explored technical viewpoint. The Questions and Decisions TM (QnDTM) screening model system was created to provide an effective and efficient tool to integrate ecosystem, management, economic and socio-political factors into a user-friendly model/game framework. The model framework is utilized in a larger process of stakeholder participation in order to generate questions and decisions for the management of complex environmental challenges. The model is written in object-oriented Java and can be deployed as a stand-alone program or as a web-based (browser-accessed) applet. The QnD model links spatial components within geographic information system (GIS) files to the abiotic (climatic) and biotic interactions that exist in an environmental system. QnD can be constructed with any combination of detailed technical data or estimated interactions of the ecological/management/social/economic forces influencing an ecosystem. The model development is iterative and can be initiated quickly through conversations with users or stakeholders. Model alterations and/or more detailed processes can be added throughout the model development process.
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KIKER, G.A., LINKOV, I. (2006). THE QND MODEL/GAME SYSTEM: INTEGRATING QUESTIONS AND DECISIONS FOR MULTIPLE STRESSORS. In: Arapis, G., Goncharova, N., Baveye, P. (eds) Ecotoxicology, Ecological Risk Assessment and Multiple Stressors. NATO Security Through Science Series, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4476-3_14
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