Ground truthing models to verify that low-potential models are exactly that (to a reasonable degree) is important when AOAS are used to determine site potential for Forest Region cut blocks, because this represents a type of high-stakes archaeology.
Some AOAS have been criticized for failing to adequately incorporate local knowledge from First Nations individuals who may have direct knowledge of traditional land use that may extend back for some generations.
The better AOAS, however, incorporate extensive ethnographic data, trail data, constant modeling, paleoenvironmental data, and inductive models, as well as traditional-use information provided by First Nations involved in the project.
