Abstract

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Decision Support System (DSS), or A.T.-DSS, is an Internet-based implementation and dissemination toolset accessible at www.edc.uri.edu/ATMT-DSS. The design of the A.T.-DSS was to facilitate decision support for management of the A.T. with the monitoring, reporting, and forecasting capacity from remote sensing-based Earth observations and geospatial modeling. It was also designed to provide a means to convey meaningful information to the American public. A.T.-DSS includes quick access to useful information to support natural resource management and decision-making; to enhance situational awareness and spatial context of the A.T. lands; to improve ability to communicate the status of A.T. environment and natural resources; and to improve conservation of biodiversity by habitat assessment modeling, evaluation of forest conditions, and identification of areas of concern.