they can help us analyze the complexity that might otherwise overwhelm us. A brief
description of the Domains follows:
•
Environmental domain: includes those components that act according to the
laws of natural ecosystems; from virgin wilderness to polluted waterways.
These operate independently of humans, though they are often considered a
"resource base" for society.
•
Direct-management domain: the actions of individuals and groups (e.g. farmers,
foresters, backpackers), that interact directly with the environment and change
it deliberately or unintentionally. Their decisions are typically directed
internally, to affect their own actions.
•
Policy-making domain: the mechanisms by which societies make policies
(laws, regulations, subsidies, taxes, education, marketing) in an attempt to
influence the behaviors of various sectors of society, such as the Direct-
management domain. Their decisions are directed externally, to affect others.
•
International domain: the mechanisms (e.g. treaties or accords) by which
nations commit themselves and encourage commitments by others to
accomplish economic, policy and environmental goals; also, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that seek to influence policy at several levels.
Creating a Four Domains Analysis
The goal is a structured summary of the relevant components of an environmental
issue and of the relationships between these components. Identifying the components and
visualizing their relationships can help clarify complex issues. See the example (thanks to
Convention