Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management

Olsson, Johanna Alkan; Andersson, Lotta

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5591-1_7

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The degree of flexibility in the model structure (Seibert and Vis, ) and regulation set‐up allows users to create representations of various levels of complexity, depending on system understanding and data availability. Importantly for the regulation context, the approach is user‐friendly, a feature that allows for easy communication with stakeholders (Olsson and Andersson, ; Liu et al ., ). The regulation adaptation is based on simple operation rules and water balance calculations, which require only the most basic information on regulation rules.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Conceptual Modelling to Assess Hydrological Impacts and Evaluate Environmental Flow Scenarios in Montane River Systems Regulated for Hydropower

et al. 2014

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To improve understanding of natural and managed flow regimes in data‐sparse regulated river systems in montane areas, the commonly used Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) conceptual run‐off model was adapted to incorporate water regulation components. The extended model was then applied to the heavily regulated river Lyon (391 km2) in Scotland to reconstruct the natural flow regime and to assess the impacts of regulation at increasing spatial scales. Multi‐criteria model evaluation demonstrated that the model performed well in capturing the dominant catchment processes and regulation effects, especially at the timescales at which operation rules apply. The main change as a result of regulation in the river Lyon is a decrease in inter‐annual and intra‐annual variability of all elements of the flow regime, in terms of magnitude, frequency, and duration. Although these impacts are most pronounced directly downstream of the impoundments, the regulation effects propagate throughout the river system. The modelling approach is flexible and widely applicable and only limited amounts of data are required. Moreover, results are easily communicated to stakeholders. It has the potential to contribute to the development of flow regimes that may be more beneficial to the ecological status of rivers. In the case of the river Lyon, it is likely that this involves a more variable release regime. The approach developed here provides a tool for assessing impacts on flow regimes and informing environmental flows in other data‐sparse regions with heavily regulated montane river systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Conceptual Modelling to Assess Hydrological Impacts and Evaluate Environmental Flow Scenarios in Montane River Systems Regulated for Hydropower

et al. 2014

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“…which lies 'beneath the surface' (Shackley and Gough 2002). However, Olsson and Andersson (2007) state that important conditions for the successful use of models as communication tools with stakeholders are credible results, user relevance, user friendliness and transparency. From a scientific perspective, RegIS2 was successful in developing computationally simpler modelling techniques for IAs, which produce credible results and have provided new understandings Henriques et al 2008;Audsley et al 2008;Harrison et al 2008;.…”

Section: Stakeholder Evaluation Of the Regional Impact Simulatormentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; the Driver-Pressure-StateImpact-Response (or DPSIR) components ); • The slider bars, used to vary input parameters, should be numerically labelled and convey assumptions of the model/scenario (Schneider 1997); • 'Realistic' and plausible ranges of values for a given parameter should be used to give guidance on the uncertainty associated with a scenario (Turnpenny et al 2004); • Allow the user to concurrently view and compare graphical output from more than one model or scenario (Olsson and Andersson 2007); • Appeal to a broad range of users, users with different priorities or values, by enabling progressively detailed exploration of the topics (Dempsey and Fisher 2005);…”

Section: Stakeholder Evaluation Of the Regional Impact Simulatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary evaluation of the benefits of a participatory regional integrated assessment software

Holman

Harman

2008

Climatic Change

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This paper provides a preliminary evaluation of the Regional Impact Simulator-a user-friendly, PC-based tool designed with stakeholders for stakeholders wishing to assess the effects of climate and/or socio-economic change on the important sectors and resources in the UK at a regional scale, in particular, impacts to coastal and river flooding, agriculture, water resources and biodiversity. While integrated assessments are relatively new, simulators that help stakeholders visualize and think about potential changes in the environment or society at a regional scale are very new. An earlier project, RegIS1, was the first local/regional integrated assessment conducted in the UK. It developed a method for engaging stakeholders in a "stakeholder-led" integrated assessment process. The RegIS2 project developed a simulation tool and followed the same "stakeholder-led" principle in designing and testing the tool. The role of stakeholders in informing the design of the simulator is discussed here, as is a stakeholder evaluation survey on its success in meeting its objectives. We also reflect on the need and desire of stakeholders to have such a tool. And because the Steering Committee -made up of stakeholders -was so invaluable in ensuring the usefulness of research outputs, a series of Steering Committee 'rules' is proposed intending to maximise the benefits of this valuable resource. Finally, we outline how our experience with the 'Regional Impact Simulator' serves as a test-bed for further studies of stakeholder-led, regional, integrated assessment.

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“…Because of this, these models offer a solution alternative only from a theoretical point of view and their practical application for planning purposes is frequently discarded. A model originated in a participative multi-sector process would have a level of acceptance and credibility much higher that of a model developed by one sector alone (Olsson and Anderson 2007;Croke et al 2007). …”

Section: Characteristics To Be Considered In Iwrm Mathematical Basin mentioning

confidence: 98%

Mathematical Modelling for the Integrated Management of Water Resources in Hydrological Basins

Silva-Hidalgo

Martín-Domínguez

Alarcón-Herrera

et al. 2008

Water Resour Manage

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Mathematical models are tools that can facilitate the instrumentation of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The first basin models to be developed were completely hydrological; today, due to the urgent need to plan the sustainable use of water resources, new models are needed that in addition to hydrology also incorporate social, economic, legal, environmental and other aspects. The objective of this work was to identify the characteristics that mathematical basin models must have in order to satisfy the requirements of IWRM. To achieve this, the conclusions of the main international conferences on water and the environment were analyzed; these were conferences in which IWRM was promoted as a strategy to face the challenges of both sectors. IWRM considers social participation as a key element in the decision-making process; consequently, the models must be accepted 722 H. Silva-Hidalgo et al. and applied, and their results interpreted, by those who participate in the process even if they are not modelling experts. This requires a change of perspective in the scientific community for the development of new IWRM models, in government institutions regarding their role as water administrators, and in water stakeholders regarding their role as decision-makers. The results of the analysis indicate that models for IWRM must be accessible to non-expert users, integrate different viewpoints, representing adequately the problem to be solved, in addition be flexible and have a structure focused on practical solutions.

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Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management

Cited by 12 publications

References 38 publications

Conceptual Modelling to Assess Hydrological Impacts and Evaluate Environmental Flow Scenarios in Montane River Systems Regulated for Hydropower

Conceptual Modelling to Assess Hydrological Impacts and Evaluate Environmental Flow Scenarios in Montane River Systems Regulated for Hydropower

Preliminary evaluation of the benefits of a participatory regional integrated assessment software

Mathematical Modelling for the Integrated Management of Water Resources in Hydrological Basins

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