Decision-Support Tools Used in the Baltic Sea Area: Performance and End-User Preferences
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Decision-Support Tools Used in the Baltic Sea Area: Performance and End-User Preferences Henrik Nygård 1 Floris M. van Beest2 Lisa Bergqvist3 Jacob Carstensen2 Bo G. Gustafsson3,4 Berit Hasler5 Johanna Schumacher6,7 Gerald Schernewski6,7 Alexander Sokolov3 Marianne Zandersen5 Vivi Fleming1 ●
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Received: 4 May 2020 / Accepted: 28 August 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Decision-support tools (DSTs) synthesize complex information to assist environmental managers in the decision-making process. Here, we review DSTs applied in the Baltic Sea area, to investigate how well the ecosystem approach is reflected in them, how different environmental problems are covered, and how well the tools meet the needs of the end users. The DSTs were evaluated based on (i) a set of performance criteria, (ii) information on end user preferences, (iii) how end users had been involved in tool development, and (iv) what experiences developers/hosts had on the use of the tools. We found that DSTs frequently addressed management needs related to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, or contaminant pollution. The majority of the DSTs addressed human activities, their pressures, or environmental status changes, but they seldom provided solutions for a complete ecosystem approach. In general, the DSTs were scientifically documented and transparent, but confidence in the outputs was poorly communicated. End user preferences were, apart from the shortcomings in communicating uncertainty, well accounted for in the DSTs. Although end users were commonly consulted during the DST development phase, they were not usually part of the development team. Answers from developers/hosts indicate that DSTs are not applied to their full potential. Deeper involvement of end users in the development phase could potentially increase the value and impact of DSTs. As a way forward, we propose streamlining the outputs of specific DSTs, so that they can be combined to a holistic insight of the consequences of management actions and serve the ecosystem approach in a better manner. Keywords Marine management Decision-making Ecosystem approach DAPSIWRM Baltic Sea ●
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Introduction Supplementary Information The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01356-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Henrik Nygård henrik.nygard@ymparisto.fi 1
Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, Hanko, Finland
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Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany
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Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
Coastal and marine ecosystems around the globe provide a range of services supporting the social and economic wellbein
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