Discussion 5!

In your opinion,),should the decisions in wildlife management be judged by the outcomes or the quality of the processes used to make the decisions.

Please comment and support your answer by uploading a reference link..

We are in chapter 7 this week

Book to reference: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management- second edition

edited by Daniel J. Decker, Shawn J. Riley, and William F.

Siemer John Hopkins University Press

ISBN: 9781421406541

and reply to two classmates

Classmate 1: Cavaughn

Judging wildlife management decisions by the quality of the process is crucial because it fosters accountability and continuous improvement in a field defined by complexity and uncertainty. A well-structured process, such as Structured Decision Making (SDM), ensures that decisions are transparent, scientifically grounded, and incorporate diverse stakeholder values, making them defensible regardless of the final outcome. This approach avoids penalizing managers for unpredictable natural events and instead encourages learning and adaptation over time, which is essential for long-term conservation success. By focusing on the rigor of the decision-making framework, agencies can build public trust and systematically enhance their strategies, even when faced with unexpected ecological challenges. For further reading, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides an overview of this approach in their guide on Adaptive Management:

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Classmate 2: Jasmine

I believe wildlife management decisions should be judged by both outcomes and the quality of the process used to make them, but if I had to choose, I would prioritize the quality of the process. Wildlife management operates within complex social-ecological systems where uncertainty is unavoidable. Even well-designed, science-based decisions may not always produce perfect outcomes due to environmental variability, climate change, or shifting public values.

A strong decision-making processone that relies on the best available science, includes stakeholder input, promotes transparency, and uses adaptive managementbuilds public trust and long-term legitimacy. Agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service emphasize adaptive management, which allows managers to implement actions, monitor results, and adjust strategies over time. This approach recognizes that outcomes matter, but they must be evaluated within the context of scientific uncertainty.