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Biodiversity Information For Natural Resource Management: Information Needs And Practices In Southern Appalachia, Miriam Davis, Carol Tenopir

Annual Research Symposium of the College of Communication and Information

Introduction

Natural resource managers rely on high quality, current and complete environmental information to make decisions about how resources and landscapes are managed for biodiversity conservation and human use. As such, they represent a unique combination of research scientist, decision maker and practicing professional. In addition, given the applied nature of their work, relating to conservation, resource use and policy, they are frequently required to make timely decisions with real world consequences. However, wading through the vast amounts of currently available scientific and technical knowledge to find needed information can be a challenge. To be useful, this information must be …