Experiences with the design and application of wildland-use models

Describes a computerized planning system useful for examining the physical, economic, and environmental consequences of alternative wildland use decisions. The system consists of a set of simulation models linked to a geographic data base by an information Storage and retrieval subsystem. System structure is discussed in the context of an integrated system model developed to facilitate an evaluation of the environmental consequences of alternative land uses and manipulations at varying scales of space-time resolution. Applications of the system are briefly discussed. While the models performed satisfactorily it is clear that decisionmakers consider much more than that which can ever be incorporated into a model structure at the present. Further, results demonstrate that often there is little incentive for decision makers to utilize models unless they are tailor made, easy to use and compatible with existing institutional patterns.