This paper introduces a spatially explicit evidence-based approach that has been developed to support strategic investment in NRM. The methodology outlined in this paper has been designed to support the South West Waterway Health and Biodiversity Sub-strategies (South West Catchments Council, WA). At its core, the methodology is focused on assessing risk for non-marine aquatic (waterways, estuaries and wetlands) and terrestrial biodiversity assets, and establishing a rigorous priority setting framework.
The Investment Decision Support System (IDSS) incorporates both map-based (GIS) and anecdotal (expert) knowledge as the basis for the allocation of NRM investments. The IDSS has been designed to provide a flexible, systematic, transparent and logical environment within which to:
•store knowledge about the attributes and threats to assets
•assign objective ratings to the environmental, social and economic values of attributes and/or threats
•assess risk through the logical association of attributes with specific threats
•evaluate alternative priority setting scenarios at a variety of scales (whole of region, sub-region, catchments, etc)
•query and report on assets to support regional and sub-regional NRM investment activities
The IDSS is seen as an on-going part of the NRM strategic planning processes within South West Catchments Council. The IDSS will also deliver additional benefits in providing a framework for knowledge management with respect to waterway/biodiversity assets and, importantly, will facilitate regional engagement with respect to NRM investment across the South West.