ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

(Tree growth)
VIEW DATA
EACH DATA SET BACKED UP
I BY RESEARCH SUMMARIES I
( (Summary of tree growth research) 1
ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
(Scientific literature on Tree Growth)
F;gure 4. --ExmpZe of se Ze &on process and Cnf omnation hferarchy .
Of course, figure 4 represents an idealized situation and is based on the
assumption that the quantity and quality of basic information will enable outcome
predictions (e.g. tree growth) that are defensible. This assumption may be unwarranted.
Indeed, apart from the problem of acquiring and synthesizing basic research
information to predict enviromental outcomes is the more fundamental problem of
information qua1 i ty. Much forest research 1 iterature describes observations in the
absence of generalized theories regarding cause and effect, and the reader is often
admonished to "use caution in extrapolating the results to other circumstances. I' It
may be that the failure of decisionmakers to utilize existing research information
is not so much because of its 1 imi ted accessibility as because of its I imited appl i -
cability.
In the following we examine some a1 ternatives for organizing and integrating
research information to meet decisionmakers' prediction requirements, and we suggest
methods whereby scientists might plan and conduct their research to be compatible
with these prediction requirements.
INTEGRATING AND EXTRAPOLATING INFORMATION
Forest managers need organized information that predicts the environmental
consequences of alternative decisions through integration and extrapolation of
research results and reasoned speculation. The fundamental concern is vegetative
succession and development following treatment. This is because the vegetative
complex most directly influences use opportunities, and vegetation integrates and
reflects the interactions of all environmental components.