Adaptive management: from more talk to real action

Abstract

The challenges currently facing resource managers are large-scale and complex, and demand new approaches to balance development and conservation goals. One approach that shows considerable promise for addressing these challenges is adaptive management, which by now is broadly seen as a natural, intuitive, and potentially effective way to address decision-making in the face of uncertainties. Yet the concept of adaptive management continues to evolve, and its record of success remains limited. In this article, we present an operational framework for adaptive decision-making, and describe the challenges and opportunities in applying it to real-world problems. We discuss the key elements required for adaptive decision-making, and their integration into an iterative process that highlights and distinguishes technical and social learning. We illustrate the elements and processes of the framework with some successful on-the-ground examples of natural resource management. Finally, we address some of the difficulties in applying learning-based management, and finish with a discussion of future directions and strategic challenges.

Fig. 1

Two-phase learning in adaptive management. Technical learning involves an iterative sequence of decision-making, monitoring, and assessment. Social and institutional learning involves periodic reconsideration of the set-up elements in the deliberative phase

Fig. 2

Iterative phase of adaptive management. Management actions are based on objectives, resource status, and understanding. Data from follow-up monitoring are used to assess impacts and update understanding. Results from assessment guide decision-making at the next decision point

Fig. 3

Adaptive management displayed as a cycle, showing technical learning and social/institutional learning. The implementation component refers to implementation of a designed process based on problem assessment, which then is used to initiate technical learning

Fig. 4

Conceptual model of annual cycle of mallard population dynamics. Model includes survival rates for spring-summer (S _s) and fall-winter (S _w), along with harvest rates for young (h _y) and adults (h _a) and age ratio (A) for reproduction/recruitment

Fig. 5

The adaptive cycle in terms of planning, implementation, and evaluation and learning. Planning includes design, assessment and selection of management decisions. Implementation includes management actions on the ground. Evaluation includes social and ecological monitoring as well as analysis and learning