Developing inventory and monitoring programs based on multiple objectives

Resource inventory and monitoring (I&M) programs in national parks combine multiple objectives in order to create a plan of action over a finite time horizon. Because all program activities are constrained by time and money, it is critical to plan I&M activities that make the best use of available agency resources. However, multiple objectives complicate a relatively straightforward allocation process. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) offers a structure for multiobjective decision making so that decision-makers’ preferences can be formally incorporated in seeking potential solutions. Within the AHP, inventory and monitoring program objectives and decision criteria are organized into a hierarchy. Pairwise comparisons among decision elements at any level of the hierarchy provide a ratio scale ranking of those elements. The resulting priority values for all projects are used as each project’s contribution to the value of an overall I&M program. These priorities, along with budget and personnel constraints, are formulated as a zero/one integer programming problem that can be solved to select those projects that produce the best program. An extensive example illustrates how this approach is being applied to I&M projects in national parks in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The proposed planning process provides an analytical framework for multicriteria decisionmaking that is rational, consistent, explicit, and defensible.     

APPLICATION OF LINEAR SYSTEM'S THEORY AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING TO GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT IN KANSAS1

ABSTRACT: A ground water management model based on the linear systems theory and the use of linear programming is formulated and solved. The model maximizes the total amount of pound water that can be pumped from the system subject to the physical capability of the system and institutional constraints. The results are compared With analytical and numerical solutions. Then, this model is applied to the Pawnee Valley area of south-central Kansas. The results of this application support the previous studies about the future ground water resources of the Valley. These results provide a guide for the ground water resources management of the area over the next ten years.     

AN ARCHETYPAL LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODEL FOR OPTIMAL INTERTEMPORAL ALLOCATION OF GROUNDWATR TO AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES1

ABSTRACT: In the past, researchers have applied a variety of analytical techniques for maximizing the present value of a stock resource - simulation, calculus of variations, stochastic dynamic programming, and optimal control theory. This paper presents a more operational approach - linear programming. A simplified, broadly drawn example from Southwest agriculture is used for demonstrating the model's structure and output. The method is based on a set of state transformation operations that prevent the additivity assumption of linear programming from being violated.     

THE VALUES OF GOODS AND SERVICES–IMPLICATIONS FOR A FLEXIBLE NATIONAL WATER POLICY1

ABSTRACT: This paper evolved from a concern that water resource administrators and planners do not have a consistent definition of the value of goods and services of outputs from projects and programs. A more flexible approach to planning and evaluation is presented that recognizes the interaction of production and consumption through the use of commodity demand curves. Use of the concept of consumer surplus permits measurement of the differential impacts on producers' and consumers' welfare. Quadratic programming is suggested as a consistent means of quantifying these differential impacts.     

A MULTILEVEL MODEL AND ALGORITHM FOR SOME MULTIOBJECTIVE PROBLEMS1

This paper presents a solution method for a class of multiobjective problems characterized by a hierarchical structure of decisionmaking and a large number of alternatives. The method, consisting of a multilevel problem formulation and an interactive algorithm, has distinct advantages for identifying preferred solutions to problems having those characteristics. The method is illustrated to a problem involving waste water treatment in the chemical industry.     

SOLID SET IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING1

: Irrigation systems can be formulated to enable linear programming to be used to obtain optimal systems. Linear programming is a readily available technique in most scientific and technical centers which have computer facilities. The objective function towards a minimal cost is based on a suggested classification of the system components, and the constraints mainly refer to required pressures and discharges. A case study in which linear programming is used to determine optimal pipe diameters is given for the solution of a solid set under tree sprinkler system.     

EFFICIENTLY REDUCING NONPOINT PHOSPHORUS LOADS TO LAKES AND RESERVOIRS1

ABSTRACT: Several problems that make it difficult to deal with water pollution from cropland are identified. The most immediate need is for a rational framework for determining where conservation programs can make an impact on eutrophication problems in reservoirs draining rural watersheds. This includes estimating the level of control that would be required for each local farm situation and the economic impacts for the planning area. A modeling approach is suggested for a planning area in Southeastern Pennsylvania.     

FLOOD CONTROL RESERVOIR OPERATIONS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRAINTS1

ABSTRACT: A flood control reservoir protects valuable developments on the downstream flood plain by storing flood waters and releasing them at a rate that will reduce the downstream damage. The water surface level of the flood pool behind the dam can fluctuate considerably during the occurrence of a large magnitude flood causing the inundation of trees, low vegetation, and water based recreation facilities located in those areas of the flood pool area that are normally well above the water level. The amount of damage that will occur in the upper levels of the flood storage area will depend on the depth and duration of the inundation that occurs. This, in turn, is directly related to the operating policy for the reservoir. A dynamic programming optimization model of flood control reservoir operation is presented. This model determines the reservoir operating schedule that minimizes downstream flood damages. Various constraints are added to the model to account for the environmental impacts of long periods of flood storage.     

A multiobjective programming framework for integrating timber and wildlife management

This article describes a multiobjective programming (MOP) framework for integrating timber and wildlife management. The framework allows for the simultaneous consideration of timber and wildlife objectives. Management strategies are defined in terms of management regimes consisting of a time-identified and site-specific schedule of activities. A MOP model is described and demonstrated using an integrated planning example involving a forest managed for timber production and a variety of wildlife species.     

OPTIMIZING NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROLS IN WATER QUALITY REGULATION1

ABSTRACT: A stochastic programming framework is developed to evaluate the economic implications of reliability criteria and multiple effluent controls on nonpoint source pollution. An integrated watershed simulation model is used to generate probability distributions for agricultural effluents in surface and ground water resulting from agricultural practices. Results from the planning model indicate that reliability and multiple effluent constraints significantly increase the cost of nonpoint controls but the effects vary by control alternative. The analysis indicates that an evaluation of multiple water quality objectives can be an important planning tool for designing nonpoint source controls for innovative programs to promote cost-effective water quality regulation.