Problem 4.  Integrated Risk Assessment

Managing forest threats is ultimately about managing competing risks, where risk is defined as the probability of loss. Quantitative risk assessment is a formal body of science that is becoming increasingly commonplace and important in forest management. In risk assessment, ecological and socioeconomic knowledge are combined with mathematical rigor to quantify risk and illuminate trade-offs inherent in alternative course of action. 

Problem 4a.  Adoption of formal risk assessment methods in forest management is hindered by the lack of training among managers and accessibility of easy-to-use tools and information. 

Problem 4b.  Risk can be difficult to quantify effectively or communicate to land managers and the public, especially when it involves multiple interacting components and conflicting values. 

Problem 4c.  A major challenge in environmental risk assessment is translating knowledge and quantifying risk across multiple spatial and temporal scales or ecological levels of organization (e.g., extrapolating effects on individuals to populations).