Four major classes of uncertainty are addressed in this volume: framing uncertainty, modeling uncertainty, statistical uncertainty, and decision-theoretical uncertainty. All are common to the environmental sciences. As environmental problems become more complex, it is questionable whether known methods, models, data, and techniques can provide adequate information to make informed decisions with reasonable certainty. However, delaying decisions could mean the continuation of a damaging practice.

This book offers greater understanding of the implications of scientific uncertainty, and provides specific guidelines for decision making given existing limitations.