Developing agroforestry decision-support tools: lessons ... · different tools. Nationally, tools often support policy and program development on the role agroforestry can play in
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Developing agroforestry decision-support tools: lessons learned Gary Bentrup1, Susan Stein2
1USDA National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE USA
2USDA National Agroforestry Center, Washington, DC USA
Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agroforestry Center has
developed several decision-support tools (DSTs) that can be used individually
or in conjunction to aid in planning and designing agroforestry systems.
National
Agroforestry
Center
To download or request these DSTs and other resources, use the QR code
or go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/tools/index.shtml
Examples of DSTs Created
NTFP Calculator: A spreadsheet for providing estimates of income potential
from producing non-timber forest products.
Tree Advisor: An online plant selection guide to help identify better species of
trees and shrubs to achieve a suite of user-defined purposes.
AgBufferBuilder: A GIS-based program for designing agroforestry buffers
around agricultural fields for water quality enhancement.
Design Guidelines: Illustrated guide for designing multifunctional agroforestry
buffers. Available in English, French, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, and Mongolian.
Lesson Learned Rationale
Focus on planning and
design
Planning and design DSTs and research tools have different end points. It is not feasible to
develop one tool to effectively serve both of these purposes. The primary purpose for
planning and design DSTs is to focus on answering what, where and how, whereas research
tools are focused on hypothesis testing.
End-user participation Create the DST with end-user participation throughout the development process to ensure
the tool meets users’ needs, capabilities, and resources. Focus groups of users can
demonstrate use, value, and validity of a product while providing critical feedback.
Appropriate level of
technology
Avoid the tendency to build DSTs with the most bells and whistles. Users often want tools
that are straightforward and simple to use.
Transparency Users need to conceptually understand the methodology used in the DST or else it will be
perceived as a “black box” and generally users will not accept and utilize the results.
Multiple scales Agroforestry decision-making occurs at multiple spatial and temporal scales and requires
different tools.
Nationally, tools often support policy and program development on the role agroforestry can
play in achieving broad societal goals.
At the state level, resource managers need landscape level tools to prioritize resources and
to develop technology transfer programs.
At the site or small watershed level, tools should yield specific information for designing and
implementing agroforestry systems.
Suite of loosely
coupled DSTs
A suite of tools is necessary to address the variety of decisions that need to made. These
should be loosely coupled rather than tightly woven together into one DST. This approach
gives users the needed flexibility to select the DSTs they want to use. This also facilitates the
integration of new tools and the replacement of old tools.
Financial and technical
sustainability
To remain a viable operational DST, the long-term financial, technical, and human resources
costs of maintaining and updating the tool must be considered. Computer-based DSTs
require continuous support in order to remain functional as technologies and software
programs change.
Find a champion Find a champion in a user group or organization to help promote the DST.
Other language
versions
Consider developing DSTs in other languages where appropriate.
Approach and Lessons Learned
The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) uses an iterative, design
approach for developing a diverse set of user-based agroforestry tools and
resources. Over the past 20 years, NAC has identified several considerations
for building effective and sustainable DSTs.
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