Employing intelligent agents for geoenvironmental decision support

Geoenvironmental decision scenarios are characterized by high spatial variability of decision factors involved in the decision making, and complex interactions between these variables. Systems designed for geoenvironmental applications have to consider the global nature of engineering works, and dynamic processes-interactions between engineering works and environment. Conflicts and imbalance resulting from the activities of man in natural environment and predictable changes in the dominant decision parameters in time must be represented in system design. Integrating Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI) development tools with Three Dimensional Geographic Information Systems (3D GIS), Database Management Systems, mathematical, engineering and environmental models and advance visualization tools can result in Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSS) which can meet the requirements of decision makers and experts involved in geoscience and environmental science projects. Design and implementation strategies for Intelligent decision Support Systems are discussed. The essential characteristics of such systems and tools and methods to develop them for geoscientific and environmental applications are presented. Several application areas of Intelligent Decision Support Systems under construction are introduced.