TERRA-Vision - The Integration of Scientific Analysis Into the Decision-Making Process

Abstract. Providing an effective tool for risk assessment of terrestrial environmental resources requires a decision support system which will combine scientific analysis and the decision-making process. The goal of such a system is to provide a scientifically-based method for establishing and evaluating the potential effects of a policy or decision. To meet this goal a computing platform must be established which can run interactively a diverse set of models representing environmental, atmospheric, economic and political issues, and provide an integrated visualized output for decision makers. The decision support tool must be able to manipulate and display disparate information at the appropriate scale, over time and space. Hierarchical modelling, integrated information management systems, geographical information systems, and visualization systems are enabling technologies which provide one possible framework for implementing an effective decision support system. An application-oriented approach was use...