Toward Spatial Decision Support Systems in Water Resources

Abstract

Spatial decision support systems (SDSSs) are a new class of computer systems that combine the technologies of geographic information systems (GISs) and decision support systems (DSSs) to aid decision makers with problems that have a spatial dimension. DSSs consist of a user interface, model base, and data base, are designed to help solve complex problems, and are oriented toward decision makers. The spatial analysis and display capability of GISs can improve each component of a DSS and have enabled the evolution of DSSs to SDSSs. The SDSS concept and architecture is well suited to merging GISs and DSSs, including water resource models that are part of water resource DSSs. The success of SDSSs in water resources will require the collaboration of GIS developers, water resource modelers, DSS designers, and water resource decision makers to accept the challenges arising from the integration of these technologies. Future action should include research on user interfaces, data‐base methods, adapting models to SDSSs, the development of a taxonomy of methods for the model base of SDSSs, and developing prototypes to demonstrate and test the SDSS concept.