A formal framework for scenario development in support of environmental decision-making

Mohammed Mahmoud, Yuqiong Liu, Holly Hartmann, Steven Stewart, Thorsten Wagener, Darius Semmens, Robert Stewart, Hoshin Gupta, Damian Dominguez, Francina Dominguez, David Hulse, Rebecca Letcher, Brenda Rashleigh, Court Smith, Roger Street, Jenifer Ticehurst, Mark Twery, Hedwig van Delden, Ruth Waldick, Denis WhiteLarry Winter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

303 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scenarios are possible future states of the world that represent alternative plausible conditions under different assumptions. Often, scenarios are developed in a context relevant to stakeholders involved in their applications since the evaluation of scenario outcomes and implications can enhance decision-making activities. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of scenario development and proposes a formal approach to scenario development in environmental decision-making. The discussion of current issues in scenario studies includes advantages and obstacles in utilizing a formal scenario development framework, and the different forms of uncertainty inherent in scenario development, as well as how they should be treated. An appendix for common scenario terminology has been attached for clarity. Major recommendations for future research in this area include proper consideration of uncertainty in scenario studies in particular in relation to stakeholder relevant information, construction of scenarios that are more diverse in nature, and sharing of information and resources among the scenario development research community.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)798-808
Number of pages11
JournalEnvironmental Modelling and Software
Volume24
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

Funding

Support for this research was provided by the US National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas (SAHRA) under Grant EAR-9876800. The research described in this article has been subjected to the US Environmental Protection Agency's peer and administrative review and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the views of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Keywords

  • Alternative futures
  • Decision-making
  • Scenario analysis
  • Scenario planning
  • Scenarios
  • Uncertainty

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