Pathways to System Understanding and Management

Abstract

In forest growth research, as in other natural sciences, knowledge is gained in a feedback process between theory development and empirical experimentation. Eight steps are identified in the pathway to systems understanding: (1) observation, measurement and collection of data; (2) description; (3) formulation of hypotheses for elements of system structure or behaviour; (4) test of hypotheses, falsification of trials, experiments and correlation; (5) synthesis into the growth model of all relevant knowledge; (6) test of model hypotheses by simulation; (7) application of the model in research, practice and education; and (8) development of theory, laws, rules and stochastic relationships. These steps are elements of an iterative feedback process, not milestones in a linear, unidirectional process. The way in which reliable knowledge acquired about forest ecosystems can be used successfully for the regulation and sustainable management of these ecosystems is outlined.