Spruce budworm decision support system: lessons learned in development andimplementation

Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks are natural distu rbances that cause heavy spruce-fir mortality in eastern Canada and thereby result in large uncertainty in forest structure and productivity. The Spru ce Budworm Decision Support System (SBW DSS) was developed by the Canadian Forest Service from 1992 to 1996. From 1996 to 1999, it was operationally i mplemented, on a cost-shared basis with industry and the provincial governm ent, on all 8 million hectares of forest in New Brunswick, Canada; it is al so being implemented for test landbases in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Th e SEW DSS models marginal timber supply benefits (m(3)/ha) and the forest s tructure consequences of alternative management actions and facilitates inc orporation of effects of insect damage into forest management planning. It permits evaluation of costs, benefits, and consequences of management, opti mizes pesticide use (if desired), and improves visualization of the consequ ences of pest outbreaks and management strategies on forest performance ind icators. We will describe the SEW DSS and discuss lessons learned related t o funding and partnerships, DSS design and development, training and implem entation, and future directions for the system. Many of the lessons learned are applicable to a wide variety of forest management DSS. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.