System dynamics modeling for community-based water planning: Application to the Middle Rio Grande

Abstract

The watersheds in which we live are comprised of a complex set of physical and social systems that interact over a range of spatial and temporal scales. These systems are continually evolving in response to changing climatic patterns, land use practices and the increasing intervention of humans. Management of these watersheds benefits from the development and application of models that offer a comprehensive and integrated view of these complex systems and the demands placed upon them. The utility of these models is greatly enhanced if they are developed in a participatory process that incorporates the views and knowledge of relevant stakeholders. System dynamics provides a unique mathematical framework for integrating the physical and social Aquatic Sciences processes important to watershed management, and for providing an interactive interface for engaging the public. We have employed system dynamics modeling to assist in community-based water planning for a three-county region in north-central New Mexico. The planning region is centered on a ~165-km reach of the Rio Grande that includes the greater Albuquerque metropolitan area. The challenge, which is common to other arid/semi-arid environments, is to balance a highly variable water supply among the demands posed by urban development, irrigated agriculture, river/reservoir evaporation and riparian/in-stream uses. A description of the model and the planning process are given along with results and perspectives drawn from both.

The persistence of subsistence: qualitative social-ecological modeling of indigenous aquatic hunting and gathering in tropical Australia

“…The significance and complexity of contemporary subsistence depicted in the qualitative models represented here underscore the need for careful attention to local circumstances and local aspirations. Participatory modeling has been shown to be useful in generating inclusive dialog about system components and management interventions (Tidwell et al 2004, Jackson et al 2012b, Barber and Jackson 2015, as well as in fostering broader and longer term social learning (Hare 2011). A participatory modeling process that incorporates the views and knowledge of indigenous participants as part of a move from generic to specific representations would be a logical next step.…”

Multi-Stakeholder Development of a Serious Game to Explore the Water-Energy-Food-Land-Climate Nexus: The SIM4NEXUS Approach

“…SDM is ideally suited to studying the trajectory of system parameters under change and for dealing with uncertainty. SDM is proven in modelling complex systems in a diverse range of disciplines and for communicating with non-expert stakeholders (e.g., [39][40][41][42]). …”

Decision Support Systems in Water Resources Planning and Management: Stakeholder Participation and the Sustainable Path to Science-Based Decision Making

“…The possibility of comparing simulations of different management options and decision alternatives through a user interface in a short time span makes system dynamics a www.intechopen.com very user-friendly DSS tool for decision-makers and the public. Indeed, system dynamics DSS have recently been used to support basin scale mid and long range planning, and management (Tidwell et al 2004;Yalcin and Lansey. 2004;Kang and Lansey, 2011).…”