Expert systems for environmental problems

Expert systems comprise a branch of artificial intelligence. Defined as man and machine systems with specialized, problem-solving expertise, expert systems rely on a data base of knowledge about a particular subject area, an understanding of the problems addressed within that subject area, and skill at solving these problems. Expert systems software was developed during the early 1970s and was initially applied to well-defined problem areas. Gradually this software has become more robust and has evolved into domain-independent software that can facilitate the construction of applications. These expert system software tools are referred to as shells. Currently a number of these shells are available on microcomputers, and some come on minicomputers as well. The following types of situations are ideal candidates for expert systems solutions: situations that occur often, situations that are complex, situations that require knowledge of experts (higher reasoning), situations in which uncertainty is involved, situations that are dynamic, and situations that demand consistent responses. Nonetheless, expert systems are starting to be used to recognize and manage environmental problems. In general, expert systems can be divided into a number of functional categories: planning, monitoring and control, instruction, interpretation, production, diagnosis and repair, and design. Table 1 shows the environmentalmore » systems, classified according to this scheme. Note that no environmental systems were found that were devoted to monitoring and control, instrumentation, or design.« less