Transdisciplinary research in support of land and water management in China and Southeast Asia : evaluation of four research projects

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552Transdisciplinary research (TDR) aims at identifying implementable solutions to difficult sustainability problems and at fostering social learning. It requires a wellmanaged collaboration among multidisciplinary scientists and multisectoral stakeholders. Performing TDR is challenging, particularly for foreign researchers working in countries with different institutional and socio-cultural conditions. There is a need to synthesize and share experience among researchers as well as practitioners regarding how TDR can be conducted under specific contexts. In this paper, we aim to evaluate and synthesize our unique experience in conducting TDR projects in Asia. We applied guiding principles of TDR to conduct a formative evaluation of four consortium projects on sustainable land and water management in China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In all projects, local political conditions restricted the set of stakeholders that could be involved in the research processes. The set of involved stakeholders was also affected by the fact that stakeholders in most cases only participate if they belong to the personal network of the project leaders. Language barriers hampered effective communication between foreign researchers and stakeholders in all projects and thus knowledge integration. The TDR approach and its specific methods were adapted to respond to the specific cultural, social, and political conditions in the research areas, also with the aim to promote trust and interest of the stakeholders throughout the project. Additionally, various measures were implemented to promote collaboration among disciplinary scientists. Based on lessons learned, we provide specific recommendations for the design and implementation of TDR projects in particular in Asia

Modelling of household wastewater pollutants in Kuching, Sarawak

The objective of this study as to determine the quantity and quality of household wastcsyater and thus develop pollutant loading models as a function of socio-economic variables. The study was carried out at six residential areas in Kuching. namely RPR Ratu Kawa, Taman Malihah, Tahuan Java, Taman Satria Jaya, Village Grove Condominium. and De Summit Condominium. The residential areas were categorised into low-, middle- and high-income groups. Floe rates determination showed that the loss-income residential areas, RPR Ratu Kasa and Tanrm Malihah, discharged large quantity of wastewater throughout the day, 49.9 I/cap/day and 52.4 I cap, 'da) respectively, whilst "Taman Satria Java and Dc Summit Condominium had the lowest floe, 40.2 I, cap-day and 34.5 I/cap/day respectively. Four water quality parameters were selected for the modelling study i. e. RODc, phosphate, nitrate, and Iseherichca cols. The results showed that the BOD, (21.94 mg/l) and nitrate (0.16 mg/I) concentrations were relatively high in De Summit Condominium which is a high-income residential area. On the other hand, RPR Ratu Ka%ka and Taman Malihah contributed to the greatest amounts of phosphate (10 12 mg/I) due to higher level of household activities especially cashing %%hich also contributed to higher flow compared to other residential areas. Tabuan Jaya. RPR Ratu Kawa, and Taman Malihah discharged high E. co/i loads of4.8I x 109 CFU/cap/day, 3.33 x 109 C'H 'cap/day and 3.35 x 10" CFIJ/cap/day respectively, into the sewerage systems. This is most likely due to the fact that the septic tanks had never been desludgcd although the premises had been occupied for more than 10 year. Six models of pollutant loadings were dc%cloped as a function of socio-economic variables. 1 hose models included 1«01)s concentration, /: co/i count,, phosphate load and nitrate load as a function of average monthly total household income as well as phosphate load and E co/i counts as a function of per capita water consumption. the models wcre tested with field data. The testing of the models showed that the amount of pollutant discharged were dependent on local conditions as well as the behaviour of the individual household that affected the lifestyle consistency. These are the most likely causes in the variations of quantity and quality of pollutant loadings. Finally, an example of model application was presented to predict the pollutant loading in Kuching. The estimated F. co/i loading from residential areas was high. The findings through modelling of pollutant loading are able to assist in the design of %yastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems

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Scientific decision support for decision makers in practice through collaborative knowledge management- A systemic approach and a case study integrated flood management-Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree Doctor rer. nat. of th

Communication processes in intercultural transdisciplinary research

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) that aims at the co-production of knowledge in the process of addressing sustainability problems requires effective communication among scientists and practitioners. In international TDR cooperation, it is recognized that particular attention must be paid to intercultural communication, to enhance knowledge integration and mutual learning. However, there is little knowledge about the role of communication in TDR and how TDR group members with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds can communicate effectively. In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis on transdisciplinary communication, with a particular focus on group dynamics and intercultural communication. On this basis, we develop a framework for TDR communication that encompasses topics and indicators for successful communication. This framework was applied in a Chinese–German project conducted in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, to guide the transdisciplinary communication processes. We focused on the development of trusted relationships among scientists and practitioners in the TDR team, while simultaneously accomplishing various tasks, such as problem framing and scenario development. In this study, we provide insights into intercultural communication in TDR, particularly in the context of Europe–Asia transdisciplinary cooperation. Our findings show that power relations, translator roles and researchers’ mindsets influence effective communication and successful knowledge integration. In the future, additional attention should be paid to improving the supporting system and institutional arrangement for transdisciplinary communication.Peer Reviewe

Quantifying Escherichia coli in household wastewater in Kuching, Sarawak

Fecal pollution of surface water is a potential health hazard due to potential pathogens. This study aimed at quantifying an indicator bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli's loading from households of five residential areas into tributaries of Sg. Sarawak and also Sg. Kuap. Sampling of household wastewater was conducted for a duration of two months during dry season. Household survey was conducted to gather information on water consumption and demographic data. Results of this study indicated that water consumption ranged from 180 i/c/d to 371 l/c/d, wastewater flow ranged from 47.0 to 92.9 l/c/d. Mean temperature ranged from 28.0 to 29.5 Degree Celsius. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 1.96 to 3.40 mg/l. There is high variation in E.coli concentrations sampled during low, medium and high flow. Mean E.coli concentration increases as the age of the residence increases with the 20 years o9ld residence discharging E.coli concentration 13 times higher than that of less than a year old residence. However, in all housing areas, E.coli concentrations were in order of 10^6 cfu/c/d. With a population of 44,500 from the housing areas where the study was conducted, it is estimated that a total of 1.64 x 10^14 cfu of E.coli is discharge from the residential areas daily. To reduce the E. coli loadings into surface water around Kuching town, it is recommended that wastewater from septic tanks be channelled to central waste stabilization ponds

Quantifying Pollutants from Household Wastewater in Kuching, Malaysia

In Malaysia, septic tank effluents were discharged into rivers. However, knowledge on quantity of household wastewater pollutants was incomplete. Therefore, water constmlption, wastewater flow and pollutants concentrations and loadings were investigated The residential areas studied were the high income area of De Summit Condominium (DS), medium income areas of Tabuan-Jaya (IJ) and Taman Satria-Jaya (TSJ) and low income areas of RPR Batu-Kawa (RPR) and Taman Malihah (TM). Results indicated that wastewater flows ranged from 95-122 L/c/d which were 33-67% of the water consumption rates. DO and BOD ranged from 0.7-4.4 mgtl and 67-135 mg/L respectively. Nitrate-nitrogen was the highest at DS (0.19 mg/L). Reactive phosphorus ranged from 4.4-12.7 mg/L. In all areas, E. coli ranged from 10-10 cfu/100mL. Mean loadings of BODs, reactive-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and E. coli were found to be 8-14 glc/d, 0.6-1.0 g/c/d, 4.3-9.6 mg/cld and 3.3-7.2x109 CFU/c/d respectively. Reactive phosphorus loading was 1.6 times higher in the low income areas (RPR and TM) when compared to the other areas. With the area population of 44,515, 10x10 L/d of water was consumed, 5x10 L/d of wastewater produced contributing to 511 kg/d of BOD, 31 kg/d of reactive phosphorus, 1.8x10 E. coli/d to surface water around Kuching

Quantity and quality of household wastewater in Kuching, Sarawak

In Kuching City, individual septic tank is the most common form of sewerage system for most of the residential areas whereby effluents are discharged into municipal storm drains. However, little is known about the contribution of household wastewater towards river water quality degradation. In this study, key pollutant concentrations and loadings were investigated during the dry season at two housing areas. Results indicated that mean per capita wastewater flowrate (82.5 l/c/d) was about one third of the water consumption rate (222.1 l/c/d). Dissolved oxygen concentration ranged from 1.38 to 4.22 mg/l. Mean pollutant loadings of BOD5, phosphate, and nitrate were found to be 1,825 mg/c/d, 519 mg/c/d, and 3.3 mg/c/d respectively. With the population of 35, 750 from the two housing areas, it is estimated that the mean daily contribution of BOD5, phosphate, and nitrate are 62.9 kg, 18.8 kg and 115 g respectively. In order to minimize pollution, it is recommended that pollution control at source be implemented

Quantifying household wastewater pollutants in Kuching

Household wastewater in Kuching is typically channeled into watercourses. Not much is known about the contribution of household wastewater from Kuching City towards water quality degradation. In this study, key pollutants concentrations and loadings were investigated over a two months period of dry season at two housing areas. Results indicated that mean water consumption and wastewater flow were 222.1 l/c/d and 82.5 l/c/d respectively. Dissolved oxygen concentration ranged from 1.38 to 4.22 mg/l. Mean pollutant loadings of BOD5, phosphate, and nitrate were found to be 1,825 mg/c/d, 519 mg/c/d, and 3.3 mg/c/d respectively. With the population of 35,750 from the two housing areas, it is estimated that the mean daily contribution of BOD5, phosphate, and nitrate are 62.9 kg, 18.8 kg and 115 g respectively. Recommendations of control and management of household waste to reduce pollution were proposed