Keywords
integrated modelling, science and policy integration, iczm
Start Date
1-7-2012 12:00 AM
Abstract
In the last forty years the Charente river catchment on the Atlantic coast of France has experienced recurrent low river flows in summer, attributed to the increase in irrigated areas. This situation is inconsistent with the regional plan goals of good ecological status of the watershed and conflicts with the need for freshwater input in downstream coastal waters for oyster farming in the Marennes-Oléron bay. In this application of the SPICOSA (Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment) experiment, a new participatory approach for integrated assessment with local managers is explored in order to improve the regulation of freshwater use and meet the goals of the regional management plan. An integrated model was co-constructed following the SPICOSA System Approach Framework (SAF). The model, developed with the ExtendSim software, uses an ecosystem services approach to represent the system components of resources, uses, and governance. Irrigated agriculture production and irrigation governance regulation are simulated in the watershed and their impact on the coastal waters downstream. Local managers were involved at different steps of the model construction, from the choice of the policy issue through the setting up of the conceptual model, its formulation and appraisal the choice of scenarios, and presentation of results. The knowledge exchange with local managers was crucial for modelling freshwater governance and exploring relevant policy options. The integrated view provided by the model results modified local managers’ perception of the freshwater system. This paper argues that the process of co-constructing the model was an essential driver of trans-disciplinary scientific communication and stakeholder engagement, and discusses the lessons learned for further improvement of this participatory modelling SAF approach.
Building an Integrated Model for Freshwater Allocation with Local Managers in a Coastal Area
In the last forty years the Charente river catchment on the Atlantic coast of France has experienced recurrent low river flows in summer, attributed to the increase in irrigated areas. This situation is inconsistent with the regional plan goals of good ecological status of the watershed and conflicts with the need for freshwater input in downstream coastal waters for oyster farming in the Marennes-Oléron bay. In this application of the SPICOSA (Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment) experiment, a new participatory approach for integrated assessment with local managers is explored in order to improve the regulation of freshwater use and meet the goals of the regional management plan. An integrated model was co-constructed following the SPICOSA System Approach Framework (SAF). The model, developed with the ExtendSim software, uses an ecosystem services approach to represent the system components of resources, uses, and governance. Irrigated agriculture production and irrigation governance regulation are simulated in the watershed and their impact on the coastal waters downstream. Local managers were involved at different steps of the model construction, from the choice of the policy issue through the setting up of the conceptual model, its formulation and appraisal the choice of scenarios, and presentation of results. The knowledge exchange with local managers was crucial for modelling freshwater governance and exploring relevant policy options. The integrated view provided by the model results modified local managers’ perception of the freshwater system. This paper argues that the process of co-constructing the model was an essential driver of trans-disciplinary scientific communication and stakeholder engagement, and discusses the lessons learned for further improvement of this participatory modelling SAF approach.
