In: Operations Management
Science has been recognized as a critical input in good decision making for park managers. How does the use of science benefit park management decisions?
The goals of park managers are usually related to conserving nature and providing recreation to general public. The decisions made by park managers are usually related to these goals. Science can play a great role in making park management decisions.
Science acts as an important and critical-input in the decision making process. Monitoring resources, conceptual models, quantitative models and using data help a great deal in making important park management decisions.
For example, for more than 20 years, it was debated whether to use Yellow stone park in winters or not. Monitoring resources helped the park management in identifying that snow mobiling had more impacts on air quality and natural sound environment. So, it was decided not to use the park in winter.
Science also helps in identifying the threshold upto which a resource is open to change. For example, sedimentation is allowed in natural waters only till the natural replenishment capacity is not disturbed.
In addition, Science helps in determining trends and setting priorities for the resource programs.