A combined science and management framework for developing regional monitoring objectives [Une structure combinée science-gestion pour dévlopper des objectifs de surveillance régionaux].

Résumé

Designing environmental monotoring programs to deal with widespread, subtle, and/or cumulative impacts on a regional basis is challenging. It requires a shift away from focusing primarily on individual point sources to a more regional prespective. It also necessitates involving scientists and managers together in a cooperative effort to establish priorities and articulate clear objectives. In our view, this objective-setting task is neither a strictly scientific nor a strictly management activity. It depends on effective communication between scientists and managers but is confounded by differing perspectives, value systems, and behaviors. We present a conceptual framework to assist managers and scientists in this process. This is intended to structure such communication by helping to create a context that permits fruitful give-and-take between the two groups. We then describe a six-part model for specifying the key elements of regional monotoring objectives.