Decision-Support Tools Used in the Baltic Sea Area: Performance and End-User Preferences

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.

Research Status, Hotspots, and Evolution Trend of Decision-Making in Marine Management Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace

“…e research on decision support (#4 decision support system, #7 decision support) of decision-making in marine management mainly includes the related research of decision support tools and decision support systems of decision-making in marine management. Among them, regarding research on decision support tools of decision-making in marine management, scholars explored the development or design of decision support tools [58][59][60], the utility of a decision-support tool [61], performance, and end-user preferences [62], etc. Moreover, the research on decision support systems for marine management involves more research results on the development or design of decision support systems through the development or design of decision support systems, which are primarily used in automatically determining the route priority of vessels entering/exiting the ports [63], integrated coastal-zone management for sustainable tourism [64], marine spatial planning [65], marine space resource utilization [66], the management of contamination in marine coastal ecosystems [67], monitoring marine management areas [68], etc.…”

On the uncertainty and confidence in decision support tools (DSTs) with insights from the Baltic Sea ecosystem

“…The most common environmental issues addressed in the 42 Baltic-based DSTs included: eutrophication (26%), impact evaluation of coastal areas (16%), biodiversity and conservation (14%), and contamination by toxic pollutants (12%), which align with the most important pressures in the region (Reusch et al 2018;Nyga ˚rd et al 2020). A complete list of all DSTs considered in our review is provided in Table S1 in the Supplementary Information.…”

“…We define a DST as: ''an interactive virtual tool developed with the purpose of supporting decision making in responses to degradation of the Baltic Sea and its catchment area. The tool may assist in distinguishing changes in the state, links to pressures caused by human activities and drivers behind them, or showing ecological impacts and effects on social welfare, thus facilitating information change between decision-makers and scientific experts'' (see also Nyga ˚rd et al 2020).…”

Ecosystem-Based MSP for Enhanced Fisheries Sustainability: An Example from the Northern Adriatic (Chioggia—Venice and Rovigo, Italy)

“…The spatial explicit outputs of the CEA application are shown in Figure 5a. Highest scores (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) are located in the whole case study area, where intense maritime traffic areas, highly trawled fishing grounds and hot spots of species (i.e., marine turtles and mammals) and habitats (e.g., the circalittoral bio-constructions called tegnùe) of conservation interest occur: between 3 and 10 nm offshore, in a relatively small area in International waters (approximately 20 nm offshore) and close to the port of Chioggia. Areas showing medium-high scores (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) are widely spread along the area, mainly due to maritime traffic and trawling activities, while coastal areas far from ports and marinas and within the 3 nm, where trawl fisheries are banned with the significant exception of the areas subject to fishing with hydraulic dredges, feature lower CEA scores (<10).…”

“…Analytical approaches and decision support tools (DSTs) are diffusely used to synthesize the complex information in order to assist the decision-making process, with systematic and objective assessments of the relationships between human uses and environmental components [23,24]. The results from data models may strongly support fisheries management [25,26] and planning [27], i.e., identifying areas with the highest level of cumulative impact [28] and assessing how human activities interact, fostering strategic choices and highlighting management priorities [29].…”