Adaptive management: Promises and pitfalls

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Adaptive management: Promises and pitfalls
Abstract
Proponents of the scientific adaptive management approach argue that it increases knowledge acquisition rates, enhances information flow among policy actors, and provides opportunities for creating shared understandings. However, evidence from efforts to implement the approach in New Brunswick, British Columbia, Canada, and the Columbia River Basin indicates that these promises have not been met. The data show that scientific adaptive management relies excessively on the use of linear systems models, discounts nonscientific forms of knowledge, and pays inadequate attention to policy processes that promote the development of shared understandings among diverse stakeholders. To be effective, new adaptive management efforts will need to incorporate knowledge from multiple sources, make use of multiple systems models, and support new forms of cooperation among stakeholders.
Publication
Environmental Management
Volume
20
Issue
4
Pages
437-448
Date
1996/07/01
Journal Abbr
Environmental Management
Language
en
ISSN
0364-152X, 1432-1009
Short Title
Adaptive management
Accessed
18/07/2017, 14:03
Library Catalogue
Citation
McLain, R. J., & Lee, R. G. (1996). Adaptive management: Promises and pitfalls. Environmental Management, 20(4), 437–448. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01474647