ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING AND LAKE MANAGEMENT

The way in which individuals and organisations make decisions and the criteria used to define a ''good'' decision have been an important are a of study for a major part of this century. Two aspects of a good dec ision are: good process (how the decision is made) and good outcome (w hat acutally happens). Social decision-making affecting the environmen t may have long-term, large scale consequences that often cannot be ac curately measured or predicted in advance. Environmental decision-maki ng is characterised by uncertainty as to what will occur, what the imp acts will be and what is the chance of occurrence. Decision support ma y be described as any ''data, information:; expertise and activities'' that assists the decision-maker. Decision support systems combine dec ision analysis and information modules. A decision support system fram ework was applied to the management of Lake Ellesmere, a large brackis h water lake in Canterbury, New Zealand. The lake is recognised as a w etland of international importance with high cultural and recreational values. Currently, there is limited understanding of ecological proce sses in the lake. There is also considerable institutional uncertainty . As a result of this combination of factors it was determined that th e use of a ''soft systems'' learning approach to management would be o f considerable benefit to present and future decision-makers and manag ers. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited