ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
Adaptive management recognises that whilst our scientific understanding of complex environmental systems is incomplete, uncertainty should not necessarily prevent activities from occurring. In keeping with the precautionary approach, activities need to be carefully managed, constantly assessed and adjusted in light of the potential environmental impacts. Adaptive management is a structured process of learning by doing and adapting management practices based on what has been learned. It has been defined as: ‘…flexible decision making that can be adjusted in the face of uncertainties as outcomes from management actions and other events become better understood. Careful monitoring of these outcomes both advances scientific understanding and helps adjust policies or operations as part of an iterative learning process.’
In summary, adaptive management is a structured iterative process of robust decision‐making in the face of uncertainty, with the aim of reducing uncertainty over time through system monitoring and adapting management practices in response to what has been learnt. The challenge in using adaptive management lies in finding the correct balance between gaining knowledge to improve management in the future and achieving the best short‐term outcome. Including, appropriate environmental protection based on current knowledge. SANOFEX stands ready to support an Adaptive Management framework having extensive risk-based modelling experience.
