MEANSENDS DIAGRAMS ACES Workshop 2014 Christy Ihlo MEM Research Assistant Ecosystem Services Program Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions Duke University The Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services ID: 784153
Download The PPT/PDF document "ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT :" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: MEANS-ENDS DIAGRAMSACES Workshop 2014
Christy Ihlo, MEM
Research Assistant, Ecosystem Services ProgramNicholas Institute for Environmental Policy SolutionsDuke University
The Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services
Guidebook
Slide2Linking Management, Project, or Policy Choices to Ecosystem Service ProvisionMeans-Ends DiagramsNational Ecosystem Services Partnershipwww.nespguidebook.com
Christy M. Ihlo,
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University
Slide3What Are Means-Ends Diagrams?Visual mapping tools AKA path models, influence diagrams, causal chains, and belief networksIn the FRMES guidebook, they assess how management, project, or policy options change the provision of ecosystem services through ecological pathways
Slide4Management alternatives or project options
Alternatives matrix comparing options
Set of desired outcomes and key indicators
Data on actions and outcomes
How Do Means-Ends Fit Into the Framework?
Slide5What Are the Means and the Ends?Means: management, project, or policy choices (at various locations)
Ends
: what people care about (ecosystem services)
Slide6How Are These Diagrams Useful?Identify the cascade of ecological interactions caused by a management, project, or policyIdentify indicators to measure those changesProvide a visual representation of benefits and tradeoffsShow analysis steps and data/models neededHighlight what is known and not known integrating data and models
Slide7How Do They Enable Comparisons? Ecosystem ServiceAlternative 1Alternative 2Service 1IncreaseDecreaseService 2DecreaseIncrease
Service
3IncreaseIncrease
Service 4
Increase
Decrease
Service 5
Decrease
Decrease
Alternative 1
Ecological Changes
Ecosystem
Service 1
Ecosystem
Service 2
Ecosystem
Service 3
Ecosystem
Service 4
Ecosystem
Service 5
Alternative 2
Ecological Changes
Ecosystem
Service 1Ecosystem Service 2
Ecosystem
Service 3
Ecosystem
Service 4
Ecosystem
Service 5
But what about space? Isn’t
spatial context
important?
Slide8Considering SpaceNelson et al. 2009
Slide9Creating Means-Ends Diagrams
Slide10Hypothetical ExamplePOTENTIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
ALT. 1
ALT. 2
ALT. 3
ALT. 4
ALT. 5
ALT. 6
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site C)
(Site D)
Fuel
conditions result in a low threat
to
community
ü
ü
ü
ü
Visibility and healthy air maintained
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Riparian areas resilient to fire
ü
ü
Hunting/wildlife watching opportunities improved
ü
ü
Hiking/camping opportunities maintained
ü
ü
ü
Timber harvest sustained
ü
ü
Habitats/species protected
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Task: reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire to urban areas and improve air quality
Slide11Hypothetical ExamplePOTENTIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
ALT. 1
ALT. 2
ALT. 3
ALT. 4
ALT. 5
ALT. 6
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site C)
(Site D)
Fuel
conditions result in a low threat
to
community
ü
ü
ü
ü
Visibility and healthy air maintained
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Riparian areas resilient to fire
ü
ü
Hunting/wildlife watching opportunities improved
ü
ü
Hiking/camping opportunities maintained
ü
ü
ü
Timber harvest sustained
ü
ü
Habitats/species protected
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Task: reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire to urban areas and improve air quality
Slide12Hypothetical ExamplePOTENTIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
ALT. 1
ALT. 2
ALT. 3
ALT. 4
ALT. 5
ALT. 6
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site C)
(Site D)
Fuel
conditions result in a low threat
to
community
ü
ü
ü
ü
Visibility and healthy air maintained
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Riparian areas resilient to fire
ü
ü
Hunting/wildlife watching opportunities improved
ü
ü
Hiking/camping opportunities maintained
ü
ü
ü
Timber harvest sustained
ü
ü
Habitats/species protected
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Task: reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire to urban areas and improve air quality
Slide13Hypothetical ExampleTask: reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire to urban areas and improve air qualityPOTENTIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
ALT. 1
ALT. 2
ALT. 3
ALT. 4
ALT. 5
ALT. 6
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site C)
(Site D)
Fuel
conditions result in a low threat
to
community
ü
ü
ü
ü
Visibility and healthy air maintained
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Riparian areas resilient to fire
ü
ü
Hunting/wildlife watching opportunities improved
ü
ü
Hiking/camping opportunities maintained
ü
ü
ü
Timber harvest sustained
ü
ü
Habitats/species protected
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Slide14Hypothetical ExamplePOTENTIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
ALT. 1
ALT. 2
ALT. 3
ALT. 4
ALT. 5
ALT. 6
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Mechanical Thinning
Prescribed Burning
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
Chemical Cheatgrass Removal
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site A - Lowland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site B - Upland)
(Site C)
(Site D)
Fuel
conditions result in a low threat
to
community
ü
ü
ü
ü
Visibility and healthy air maintained
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Riparian areas resilient to fire
ü
ü
Hunting/wildlife watching opportunities improved
ü
ü
Hiking/camping opportunities maintained
ü
ü
ü
Timber harvest sustained
ü
ü
Habitats/species protected
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Task: reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire to urban areas and improve air quality
Slide15Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Ecosystem
Services
Slide16Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Fire
Air Quality
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Ecosystem
Services
Slide17Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Forest Structure
Fire
Air Quality
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide18Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide19Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide20Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Soil Compaction
Litter Depth
Forest Floor Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Outbreak Susceptibility
Outbreak Area
Outbreak Intensity
Pests/Pathogens
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide21Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Soil Compaction
Litter Depth
Forest Floor Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Outbreak Susceptibility
Outbreak Area
Outbreak Intensity
Pests/Pathogens
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Sediment Load
Water Quality
Runoff
Erosion Potential
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Fishing
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Habitat Suitability
Aq. Sp. Habitat
Population Estimates
Fish Populations
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide22Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Soil Compaction
Litter Depth
Forest Floor Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Standing Carbon Stocks
Rate of Carbon Seq.
Carbon Seq. in Forest Products
Carbon
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Outbreak Susceptibility
Outbreak Area
Outbreak Intensity
Pests/Pathogens
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Water Volume
Water Timing (Consistency)
Water Yield
Sediment Load
Water Quality
Runoff
Erosion Potential
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Climate Stability
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Boating
Fishing
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Habitat Suitability
Aq. Sp. Habitat
Population Estimates
Fish Populations
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Ecosystem
Services
Slide23Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Soil Compaction
Litter Depth
Forest Floor Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Standing Carbon Stocks
Rate of Carbon Seq.
Carbon Seq. in Forest Products
Carbon
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Outbreak Susceptibility
Outbreak Area
Outbreak Intensity
Pests/Pathogens
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Water Volume
Water Timing (Consistency)
Water Yield
Sediment Load
Water Quality
Runoff
Erosion Potential
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Climate Stability
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Boating
Fishing
Timber
Ecosystem
Services
Commuter Visibility
Habitat Suitability
Aq. Sp. Habitat
Population Estimates
Fish Populations
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Building a Means-Ends Diagram
Slide24Qualitative versus Quantitative Diagrams
Slide25Management AlternativeMechanical Thinning(Site A – Lowland)Ecological Changes
Understory Density
Horizontal Connectivity
Total Forest Area
Forest Structure
Soil Compaction
Litter Depth
Forest Floor Structure
Fire Severity
(% Mortality)
Fire Return Interval
Fire Burnt Area
Fire
Standing Carbon Stocks
Rate of Carbon Seq.
Carbon Seq. in Forest Products
Carbon
Particulates
Visibility
Air Quality
Habitat Suitability
Contiguous Habitat Area
Terr. Sp. Habitats
Outbreak Susceptibility
Outbreak Area
Outbreak Intensity
Pests/Pathogens
Population Estimates
Terr. Sp. Pop.
Water Volume
Water Timing (Consistency)
Water Yield
Sediment Load
Water Quality
Runoff
Erosion Potential
Respiratory Health
Reduction of Fire Risk
Climate Stability
Camping
Hiking
Recreational Hunting
Wildlife Watching
Biodiversity Existence
Boating
Fishing
Timber
Commuter Visibility
Habitat Suitability
Aq. Sp. Habitat
Population Estimates
Fish Populations
Increase
Decrease
Increase or Decrease
Selecting Indicators for Social Analysis
Ecosystem
Services
Slide26Comparing AlternativesEcosystem Service
Mechanical Thinning
(Upland)
Mechanical Thinning
(Lowland)
Prescribed Burning
(Lowland)
Respiratory
Health
+
+
+
Commuter Visibility
+
+
+
Fire Risk
Reduction
+
+
+
Climate Stability
+
+
+
Timber
+
+
No
change
Hiking
+
+
+
Camping
+
+
+
Recreational
Hunting
+/-
+/-
+/-
Wildlife Watching
+/-
+/-
+/-
Biodiversity Existence
+
++
++
Boating
+
+
+
Fishing
No
change
-
-
Slide27How Are These Diagrams Useful?Identify the cascade of ecological interactions caused by a management, project, or policyIdentify indicators to measure those changesProvide a visual representation of benefits and tradeoffsShow analysis steps and data/models neededHighlight what is known and not known integrating data and models
Slide28Group ExerciseCreate a means-ends diagram for one of the examples using the given alternative and background materialsGreat Dismal Swamp:Hydrological RestorationThe Marsh Project:Prescribed BurningNational Ecosystem Services Partnershipwww.nespguidebook.com
Slide29