Harmonised Principles for Public Participation in Quality Assurance of Integrated Water Resources Modelling

The main purpose of public participation in integrated water resources modelling is to improve decision-making by ensuring that decisions are soundly based on shared knowledge, experience and scientific evidence. The present paper describes stakeholder involvement in the modelling process. The point of departure is the guidelines for quality assurance for `scientific` water resources modelling developed under the EU research project HarmoniQuA, which has developed a computer based Modelling Support Tool (MoST) to provide a user-friendly guidance and a quality assurance framework that aim for enhancing the credibility of river basin modelling. MoST prescribes interaction, which is a form of participation above consultation but below engagement of stakeholders and the public in the early phases of the modelling cycle and under review tasks throughout the process. MoST is a flexible tool which supports different types of users and facilitates interaction between modeller, manager and stakeholders. The perspective of using MoST for engagement of stakeholders e.g. higher level participation throughout the modelling process as part of integrated water resource management is evaluate

: Géoprospective territoriale à l'île de La Réunion

16 p.National audienceThe objective of this paper is to present an approach for experimenting territorial prospective analysis based on spatial modelling. This approach is carried out in the framework of the DESCARTES project which aims at developing a spatial simulation tool to support the design and analysis of different scenarios for land-use allocation in Reunion Island in terms of environmental services. The spatial modelling tool is composed of two complementary applications: (i) the Ocelet modelling language and its land dynamics simulation environment, and (ii) the Margouill@ platform. The first demonstrator, a model of farm land consumption by urbanization, was developed and presented during workshops in order to test the role of the spatial simulation tool in support of a collaborative innovation process among stakeholders, and to foster new research on social learning, spatial simulation of environmental services, and scale change issues.L'objectif de cet article est de présenter une démarche de construction d'un exercice de prospective territoriale basé sur un outil de modélisation spatiale. Cette démarche est mise en œuvre dans le cadre du projet ANR DESCARTES dont l'objectif est de construire un outil de simulation cartographique pour analyser différents scénarios d'affectation de l'usage des sols à l'Ile de La Réunion, en termes de services environnementaux. La plateforme de simulation cartographique est composée de deux applications complémentaires (i) le langage de modélisation Ocelet et son environnement de simulation de paysages dynamiques, et (ii) la plateforme Margouill@. Le développement puis la présentation, en atelier, d'un premier démonstrateur sur la consommation des terres agricoles par l'urbanisation a permis de tester l'outil cartographique comme support d'un processus d'innovation collective entre les parties prenantes, et d'ouvrir de nouveaux champs de recherche sur l'analyse de la démarche par les apprentissages, la spatialisation et la simulation prospective des services écosystémiques, et la prise en compte du changement d'échelle

Computer models as social learning tools in participatory integrated assessment

De Kraker, J., Kroeze, C., & Kirschner, P. A. (2011). Computer models as social learning tools in participatory integrated assessment. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 9, 297-309. doi:10.1080/14735903.2011.582356Participatory integrated assessment (PIA) is a structured process conducted with stakeholders to assess the environmental, economic and social dimensions of a complex issue and the impacts of policy choices. PIA may result in social learning – a convergence in the stakeholders’ perspectives on the problem and its solutions – which creates a basis for more sustainable, collective action. This paper addresses the role of computer models used in integrated assessment in supporting social learning and discusses a selection of model-based PIA projects. We argue that models may play two important roles. First, with models the consequences of options can be explored turning the PIA process into an experiential learning cycle for the stakeholders. Second, models provide a platform and structure for stakeholders to communicate, negotiate and integrate their perspectives. However, in many PIA projects, computer models fail to play a significant supporting role in social learning. Experiences with other participatory modelling approaches indicate that a higher degree of stakeholder involvement in model development can increase the effectiveness of models as social tools. This, however, is time- and resource-intensive and difficult to scale up but insights from collaborative learning science and technology may help to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of PIA model in supporting social learning

Chapitre 9 - Modèles et simulations spatio-temporels comme « objets intermédiaires » : le cas de l’étalement urbain à la Réunion

Cette recherche est en partie financée par l’Agence nationale de la recherche à travers le projet Descartes (ANR 11-AGRO-002-01). Introduction Les processus de périurbanisation se traduisent par une forte tension sur le foncier agricole et par l’émergence d’une demande en agriculture « de services ». De nouvelles fonctions sont attribuées à l’agriculture, comme la gestion des aménités rurales et environnementales (Be..

Concepts and methods for analysing the role of Information and Communication tools (IC-tools) in Social Learning processes for River Basin Management

International audienceThe Water Framework Directive requires Public Participation in River Basin Management (RBM), including previously excluded constituencies besides water experts and policy makers. In this context, the HarmoniCOP project studies ways to improve PP based on the concept of Social Learning (SL). SL refers to the growing capacity of a social network to develop and perform collective actions. Complex issues such as RBM can be better resolved taking into account the diversity of interests and mental frames, and relying on disseminated information and knowledge. Information and Communication tools (IC-tools) can thereby play an important role. In this paper we firstly present our main concepts in relation to SL and PP. Then we propose a provisional qualitative characterisation of the role of IC-tools. Thirdly, we present a framework of analysis to explore IC-tool impact on participatory and SL processes. This framework is used to assess the IC-tools from three perspectives: their technical characteristics, their impact on PP and SL and their usability as perceived by the users. In the fourth part we present a first application of the framework of analysis for two case studies in Flanders and in Dordogne (France). Finally, we discuss some expected future outcomes of the project

Social learning in practice: A review of lessons, impacts and tools for climate change

The aim of this report is to provide a detailed review of documented social learning processes for climate change and natural resource management as described in peer-reviewed literature. Particular focus is on identifying (1) lessons and principles, (2) tools and approaches, (3) evaluation of social learning, as well as (4) concrete examples of impacts that social learning has contributed to. This paper has sought to contribute to reflections on the role that social learning might play and the impacts it might have in supporting decision making on climate change, agriculture and food security. Understanding social learning is important if we wish to respond effectively to increasingly complex and “wicked” problems such as climate change; to break down barriers between producers and users of research, and increase the capacity of organisations to learn. This study, conducted on behalf of the Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program of the CGIAR, offers a range of framings and evidence of successful social learning approaches. It reflects on how this evidence relates to the existing change areas already being pursued by the CCAFS programme and on the gaps that are revealed through an analysis of a bounded set of literature

Collaborative monitoring in ecosystem management in South Africa's communal lands

Internationally there is an increasing focus on involving local communities in natural resource management and monitoring. Monitoring methods which are professionally driven appear to be inadequate to deal with the monitoring of natural resource use and biodiversity conservation, globally. This is especially evident in areas such as South African rural communal land. Two community based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes in areas which are communally governed in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, namely Nqabara and Machubeni, were used as part of this research study. This thesis identified and tested potentially simple and cost effective monitoring methods related to the utilization of the local rangelands and indigenous forests. The criteria that were tested include 1) appropriateness and effectiveness in measuring change, and 2) contribution to building adaptive capacity among local land managers through learning. The criteria were assessed using a scoring system for each monitoring method in order to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses . This was done by using both quantitative and qualitative data. Contribution to building adaptive capacity was assessed by evaluating technical capacity gained, local ecological knowledge contributed and learning by participants. This was done using qualitative data. The results show that the monitoring methods had different strengths and weaknesses in relation to the criteria, making them more appropriate for different priorities such as effectively measuring change or building adaptive capacity. It is argued that an adaptive approach is a useful component in the participatory monitoring process. An adaptive framework was developed from lessons learnt in this study for collaborative monitoring. Challenges such as low literacy levels and adequate training still need to be addressed to strengthen efforts towards participatory monitoring. Factors such as incentives, conflict and local values may negatively affect the legitimacy and sustainability of participatory monitoring and therefore also need to be addressed

Utilising spatial technologies to support the catchment based approach to landscape management

Much of the UK’s water environment is degraded due to centuries of intensive land management. Driven by the combined pressures of EU targets for water quality, climate change, urbanisation, and population growth the requirement for better management of water resources has led to the adoption of catchment scale management. Despite fewer funding opportunities available to catchment organisations government expectations remain high. Spatial technologies have much to offer to aid collaboration between catchment organisations and stakeholders in their aims to improve the water environment, but research evaluating the application of low cost spatial technologies to support the Catchment Based Approach within the UK has to date been limited. Through three case studies this thesis explored how spatial technologies could support the development of future sustainable and multifunctional river catchment landscapes. The methodology of each case study retained a practitioner focus and evaluated both practitioner interaction with the technologies and the technology development itself. The research examined the strengths and weaknesses of spatial technology in practice and identified barriers to wider adoption by the catchment partnerships and rivers trusts. Results indicate untapped potential for spatial technologies to support the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) but three barriers to adoption exist. First, there are technological restrictions which need to be overcome with further development. Secondly, significant resources are required, and thirdly, the disruptive influence of technology on institutional structure must be accommodated. Even with the suggested further development the spatial technologies evaluated in this thesis remain outside of the scope of many catchment institutions in terms of skill, understanding of best practice and the resources to support implementation. The future of our water environment and the wider landscape is constrained not by those carrying out the work but the lack of funds and governance frameworks for catchment institutions to work together