The multiple roles of environmental data visualization in evaluating alternative forest management strategies

Forest management decisions are often based on long-range projections of future forest conditions. These conditions and effects can be complex and difficult to understand for those not trained or experienced in forest management. Modern computer-based environmental data visualization systems have been found to be of considerable assistance in this context. Cost effective computer visualization techniques have made it increasingly feasible to visually represent environmental conditions that are otherwise only represented by abstract statistics. Currently, members of the Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning at the University of British Columbia are investigating the effectiveness of various environmental data visualization methods as applied to land management decision-making processes. Preliminary results of this work are discussed and the implications of the use of these technologies in a variety of contexts are examined. This work allows forest and environmental modelers to see statistical outputs in ways never before accessible to them and by so doing to gain insights into the assumptions and limitations of their models. Interdisciplinary forest management teams may more effectively reach a mutual understanding of expected changes in forest conditions, and of the effects of biophysical agents on those conditions. Additionally, increased understanding and communication between disciplines are facilitated by these technologies and a shift from weak to strong interdisciplinary research can be realized. By observing precise, near-photo realistic visualizations, concerned public audiences also may better understand and appreciate the motivations and intentions of proposed forest management actions, though there is a risk of misinterpretation of the visualizations or misplaced belief in the underlying models. These and other potential uses of environmental/data visualizations in the context of sustainable forest management are reviewed and evaluated using examples from recently completed and ongoing pilot projects.