The Science-Policy-Stakeholders Interface in Water Pollution Assessment

During the last decades the scientific research has increasingly developed modelling tools to handle problems related to water quantity and quality. Concerning water pollution, modelling approaches have been developed ranging from simple statistical regressions to complex models. Watershed models have been developed firstly to deepen the understanding of water cycle and pollution dynamics, as they provide a simplified conceptualization of the processes involved, and then they have been progressively more used to evaluate the impacts on water quality of management options, mitigation measures and possible global changes. In addition, models have been employed for planning monitoring network and spatially target plans of intervention. So far modelling has been exclusively used by the scientific and practitioner communities. However, there is a shift to a combined used of models by the scientific, practitioner and stakeholders. Effective scientific research needs to address questions relevant for stakeholders and decision makers and to include their values and perspectives in the knowledge production process. This idea is at the basis of the participatory watershed modelling. Differently from the traditional one, participatory watershed modelling includes public and decision makers in the modelling process to support decisions involving complex environmental questions. Participatory modelling acts as platform for dialogue and integration between scientists, stakeholders and policy makers. For these reasons it results particularly pertinent to the objectives of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). A way to involve public participation in the water management is the development and use of scenarios. The development of scenarios and their evaluation through participatory watershed modelling involve many challenges, related to the choice and application of the modelling approach, the availability of data and adequate monitoring network, the practical involvement of stakeholders and the whole planning and implementation of the iterative process, which entails contrasting interests and communication barriers. In this chapter, we discuss these issues providing examples and lessons learnt from the practical experience gained in the STRIVER project.

GRIZZETTI Bruna;  LO PORTO A.;  BARKVED Line;  JOY K. J.;  PARANJAPE Suhas;  DEELSTRA J.;  BOURAOUI Faycal;  MANASI S.; 

2014-10-08

Earthscan

JRC57905

978-1-84407-919-3,