Paper/Poster/Presentation Title
An integrated modeling approach coupling stakeholders’ values and policy trade-offs in Oklahoma, USA
Keywords
agent-based model, stakeholder values, climate change
Start Date
26-6-2018 10:40 AM
End Date
26-6-2018 12:00 PM
Abstract
Oklahoma watersheds and urban areas are subject to increased water shortages, woody plant encroachment, and other socio-ecological issues. To investigate these issues in an integrated fashion, we are constructing an agent-based model using an integrated modeling platform, ‘ENVISION’. Three modeled areas represent the diversity within Oklahoma: Oklahoma City (urban), Kiamichi watershed (timber, reservoir), and Cimarron watershed (agriculture, grassland). Oklahoma City (OKC) stakeholders are concerned with the ‘greenness’ of the urban environment, and the water required to maintain it in the context of future urban growth and climate change, and the OKC model estimates urban greenness and the related water demand. Kiamichi stakeholders are concerned about the local economic impacts of lowered levels of a major reservoir, and the integrated model simulates reservoir water levels under various withdrawal policies and future climate scenarios. Cimarron stakeholders are concerned about eastern redcedar encroachment in the watershed, and the model evaluates changes in water flows due to changes in climatic conditions and woody plant encroachment into the existing agriculture and grassland. Important linkages exist between the models which can potentially explore conflicts between these groups; for example, the Kiamichi reservoir also serves as part of the water supply for OKC, and thus water use in OKC directly affects the economic base of Kiamichi residents. Similarly, redcedar encroachment is an emerging issue throughout Oklahoma with unknown impacts upon water supply and land productivity, and policies that effectively encourage redcedar control can be applied throughout the state with a positive impact on water resources.
An integrated modeling approach coupling stakeholders’ values and policy trade-offs in Oklahoma, USA
Oklahoma watersheds and urban areas are subject to increased water shortages, woody plant encroachment, and other socio-ecological issues. To investigate these issues in an integrated fashion, we are constructing an agent-based model using an integrated modeling platform, ‘ENVISION’. Three modeled areas represent the diversity within Oklahoma: Oklahoma City (urban), Kiamichi watershed (timber, reservoir), and Cimarron watershed (agriculture, grassland). Oklahoma City (OKC) stakeholders are concerned with the ‘greenness’ of the urban environment, and the water required to maintain it in the context of future urban growth and climate change, and the OKC model estimates urban greenness and the related water demand. Kiamichi stakeholders are concerned about the local economic impacts of lowered levels of a major reservoir, and the integrated model simulates reservoir water levels under various withdrawal policies and future climate scenarios. Cimarron stakeholders are concerned about eastern redcedar encroachment in the watershed, and the model evaluates changes in water flows due to changes in climatic conditions and woody plant encroachment into the existing agriculture and grassland. Important linkages exist between the models which can potentially explore conflicts between these groups; for example, the Kiamichi reservoir also serves as part of the water supply for OKC, and thus water use in OKC directly affects the economic base of Kiamichi residents. Similarly, redcedar encroachment is an emerging issue throughout Oklahoma with unknown impacts upon water supply and land productivity, and policies that effectively encourage redcedar control can be applied throughout the state with a positive impact on water resources.
Stream and Session
C2: Application of Decision Support Tools for Integrated Water Resources Management