A Geodesigned Spatial Decision Support System for Water Quality Planning

摘要

This research applies a geodesign approach to the development of a case study web-based spatial decision support system for nonpoint source nitrogen pollution in the Niantic River watershed in Connecticut USA. Geodesign is an emerging concept that prescribes an appruach to technology design that more closely reflects the situations supported by the technology. With this framework in mind, this project begins by defining three broad categories of spatial decision support system tools: Exploratory, Input-Oriented, aad Goal-Oriented These categories are delineated based on the general functions of support provided by tools. Specifically. Exploratory- tools support the examination and investigation of the problem being investigated, the potential alternatives, aad an exploration of desired outcomes. Input-Oriented tools focus on the decision alternatives and are exemplified by "what-if" tools. Goal-Oriented tools focus on the desired decision outcomes and provide information about the possible decisions that we likely to attain such goals. Current system designs tend to focus on the decision alternatives instead of decision outcomes, which limits the types of support nuch systems can provide. The case study spatial decision support system presented in this poster demonstrates the advantages to including tools from all three categories for more comprehensive and versatile decision support. By considering and including tools from the full range of possible support types, the resulting geodesigned system is betters suited to meet a range of decision support needs.