SDSS in The Management of Forest Resources

Forest planning is a complex endeavor when political agendas, public demands, industry needs, and sustainability issues are thrown into the mix. Spatial decision support systems (SDSS) have evolved to address this complex planning situation. Considerable work on SDSS development has emanated from the field of forestry. This article reviews SDSS development and use in forest resource management. The unique concerns that bring about the need for SDSS in forest management are detailed. The ways in which GIS and SDSS are interrelated in forest planning are discussed. Forest management applications of SDSS are detailed, highlighting the application issues being addressed. Anticipated future trends in the application and development of SDSS for forest management are also given.