Bringing diverse knowledge sources together : a meta-model for supporting integrated catchment management

Holzkaemper, Annelie and Kumar, Vikas and Surridge, Ben and Paetzold, Achim and Lerner, David (2012) Bringing diverse knowledge sources together : a meta-model for supporting integrated catchment management. Journal of Environmental Management, 96 (1). pp. 116-127. ISSN 0301-4797

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Integrated catchment management (ICM), as promoted by recent legislation such as the European Water Framework Directive, presents difficult challenges to planners and decision-makers. To support decision-making in the face of high complexity and uncertainty, tools are required that can integrate the evidence base required to evaluate alternative management scenarios and promote communication and social learning. In this paper we present a pragmatic approach for developing an integrated decision-support tool, where the available sources of information are very diverse and a tight model coupling is not possible. In the first instance, a loosely coupled model is developed which includes numerical sub-models and knowledge-based sub-models. However, such a model is not easy for decision-makers and stakeholders to operate without modelling skills. Therefore, we derive from it a meta-model based on a Bayesian Network approach which is a decision-support tool tailored to the needs of the decision-makers and is fast and easy to operate. The meta-model can be derived at different levels of detail and complexity according to the requirements of the decision-makers. In our case, the meta-model was designed for high-level decisionmakers to explore conflicts and synergies between management actions at the catchment scale. As prediction uncertainties are propagated and explicitly represented in the model outcomes, important knowledge gaps can be identified and an evidence base for robust decision-making is provided. The framework seeks to promote the development of modelling tools that can support ICM both by providing an integrated scientific evidence base and by facilitating communication and learning processes.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Environmental Management
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/environmentalscience/catchmentandaquaticprocesses
Subjects:
?? integrated catchment management water framework directive decision-support integrated modelling bayesian network meta-modelcatchment and aquatic processesenvironmental engineeringmanagement, monitoring, policy and lawwaste management and disposalge enviro ??
ID Code:
51609
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
28 Nov 2011 10:17
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2024 09:47