Capturing the complexity of water uses and water users within a multi-agent framework

Abstract

Journal article"Due to the hydrological and socio-economic complexity of water use within river basins and even sub-basins, it is a considerable challenge to manage water resources in an efficient, equitable and sustainable way. This paper shows that multi-agent simulation (MAS) is a promising approach to better understand the complexity of water uses and water users within sub-basins. This approach is especially suitable to take the collective action into account when simulating the outcome of technical innovation and policy change. A case study from Chile is used as an example to demonstrate the potential of the MAS framework. Chile has played a pioneering role in water policy reform by privatizing water rights and promoting trade in such rights, devolving irrigation management authority to user groups, and privatizing the provision of irrigation infrastructure. The paper describes the different components of a MAS model developed for four micro-watersheds in the Maule river basin. Preliminary results of simulation experiments are presented, which show the impacts of technical change and of informal rental markets on household income and water use efficiency. The paper also discusses how the collective action problems in water markets and in small-scale and large-scale infrastructure provision can be captured by the MAS model. To promote the use of the MAS approach for planning purposes, a collaborative research and learning framework has been established, with a recently created multi-stakeholder platform at the regional level (Comisión Regional de Recursos Hidricos) as the major partner. Finally, the paper discusses the potentials of using MAS models for water resources management, such as increasing transparency as an aspect of good governance. The challenges, for example the need to build trust in the model, are discussed as well." -- Publisher's AbstractIFPRI3; Theme 3; Subtheme 3.1; Managing natural resources; DCAEPTD; DSGDP

Water scarcity patterns

“…The results of this thesis support the view of Berger et al (2007) that MAS is a promising approach to supporting water resource management and can assist in increasing the understanding of water use and water users within sub-basins. In the modelling approach of Berger et al (2007), communication among agents plays an important role.…”

“…Some MAS applications have been developed to analyse and support water resource management for irrigation schemes and sub-basins (Barreteau and Bousquet, 2000;Barreteau et al, 2004;Becu et al, 2003;Berger et al, 2007;Bithell and Brasington, 2009;Schlüter and Pahl-Wostl, 2007). Berger et al (2007) show that MAS is a promising approach to supporting water resource management and to better understanding the complexity of water use and water users within sub-basins.…”

“…Berger et al (2007) show that MAS is a promising approach to supporting water resource management and to better understanding the complexity of water use and water users within sub-basins. In this thesis MAS is used to represent spatially-explicit interactions between water users and water resources and flows that are relevant to water resources management on a river basin scale and on smaller scales.…”

“…With regard to policy analysis, Berger et al (2007) have shown that MAS is a promising approach to supporting water resources management and to better understanding the complexity of water use and water users within sub-basins. Schlüter and Pahl-Wostl (2007) have developed an agent-based modelling approach to compare alternative water management regimes.…”

Governance, Sustainability and Decision Making in Water and Sanitation Management Systems

“…In these social-ecological systems (SESs), attention to political, cultural, institutional, historical, and personal issues (such as human rights) is increasingly important [1,2]. In the specific case of water management, purely technical approaches seem insufficient to adequately respond to the demands of a constantly growing population and mounting water consumption pressure [3,4]. In those cases, the relationship between the concepts of governance and sustainability, and their possible roles for the improvement of decision-making processes in water and sanitation management systems (WSMS) is receiving increasing attention [5].…”