Farmers as water managers in a changing climate – can we turn sustainability research into outcomes?
Keywords
farmers, water-managers, climate change, aquarius
Start Date
1-7-2010 12:00 AM
Abstract
How well does research-derived knowledge on sustainability translate into practical improvements in the sustainability of land and water management? This paper reflects on progress being made through the lens of the “Aquarius - Farmers as Water Managers” project part of Interreg IVb. This project seeks to use research-derived knowledge to aid the specification, delivery and evaluation of a flood alleviation scheme that uses natural flow management measures. The paper sets out previous research on the definition of outcomes and places these in the context of the specific criteria being used within the Interreg programme. Interreg provides an opportunity for researchers interested in translating research into outcomes to be part of large scale interventions that are beyond the scope of research studies. The paper details the research approach being adopted; a variant of adaptive management schemes intended for use in complex coupled socialecological systems. The base line studies that characterise the bio-physical and socioeconomic systems and the framework of stakeholder issues have been completed. These have emphasised the contested nature of the causes of, and responsibilities for, flooding and its future management in a changing climate. The paper also reports the central role of computer-based modelling in the statutory cost-benefit analyses. Going beyond these statutory processes the paper reports an analysis of the levels of compensation needed by land managers to offset the loss of income from temporary flooding. This amounts to andlt;5% of the annual damage and presents an opportunity for financial solutions based on insurance or public support for regulating ecosystem-service provision. The paper concludes by reflecting on progress against the Interreg outcome criteria and notes that the researchpractice- policy partnerships are working well and that international cooperation has been successful in promoting innovative engineering, financial, governance and policy options.
Farmers as water managers in a changing climate – can we turn sustainability research into outcomes?
How well does research-derived knowledge on sustainability translate into practical improvements in the sustainability of land and water management? This paper reflects on progress being made through the lens of the “Aquarius - Farmers as Water Managers” project part of Interreg IVb. This project seeks to use research-derived knowledge to aid the specification, delivery and evaluation of a flood alleviation scheme that uses natural flow management measures. The paper sets out previous research on the definition of outcomes and places these in the context of the specific criteria being used within the Interreg programme. Interreg provides an opportunity for researchers interested in translating research into outcomes to be part of large scale interventions that are beyond the scope of research studies. The paper details the research approach being adopted; a variant of adaptive management schemes intended for use in complex coupled socialecological systems. The base line studies that characterise the bio-physical and socioeconomic systems and the framework of stakeholder issues have been completed. These have emphasised the contested nature of the causes of, and responsibilities for, flooding and its future management in a changing climate. The paper also reports the central role of computer-based modelling in the statutory cost-benefit analyses. Going beyond these statutory processes the paper reports an analysis of the levels of compensation needed by land managers to offset the loss of income from temporary flooding. This amounts to andlt;5% of the annual damage and presents an opportunity for financial solutions based on insurance or public support for regulating ecosystem-service provision. The paper concludes by reflecting on progress against the Interreg outcome criteria and notes that the researchpractice- policy partnerships are working well and that international cooperation has been successful in promoting innovative engineering, financial, governance and policy options.
