Managing environmental knowledge and the necessary IT tools - Environmental Deterioration and Contamination: Problems and their Management - page 431

Managing environmental knowledge
and the necessary IT tools
Z. Siki 1 , K. Gruiz 2
1 Department of Geodesy and Surveying, Budapest University of Technology and
Economics, Budapest, Hungary
2 Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of
Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information from experts' experience on the scientific and
engineering background required for the systematic arrangement of environmental
information (ENFO) and on the IT tools needed to create a knowledge base.
The “ENFO'' knowledge base, which is a support tool for environmental man-
agement, is presented as an example because it was developed relying on an expert
system similar to the one on which the present topic is based. The core of environ-
mental management is the assessment of risks and impacts, choosing the best possible
management option and reducing the risk as necessary. Management of knowledge is
supported by a regulatory framework which defines expectations and criteria. Other
supportive elements are environmental monitoring data and information on the status
and changes of the environment. Every compartment of the management scheme is
aided by information bases, guidelines and other decision-support tools.
Good quality information is abundant in the field of environmental management.
In the last 20 years, both factual and heuristic knowledge has increased signifi-
cantly, however, the knowledge of practitioners is insufficient to make comprehensive
decisions and utilize the latest scientific and engineering tools.
1 INTRODUCTION
In most parts of the world, both the public and decision makers have insufficient sci-
entific and practical knowledge in the field of environmental science, environmental
decision making and management. The practical implementation of modern engineer-
ing tools is slow. The tools do not serve sustainability in a wider context due to a lack
of an environmentally conscious mindset.
Although popular scientific and technical knowledge does exist, and has developed
rapidly over the last 10 years, this new knowledge has not yet become part of people's
general knowledge. Web-based information and education may help to improve this
situation. These efficient tools will enhance scientific knowledge transfer toward the
wider scientific community, toward practice and decision making, management and
education.