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Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management

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Integrated Assessment of Water Resources and Global Change

Abstract

Politicians and policy-makers, as well as modellers, often nurses an expectation that model derived results is an objective source of information that can be used to support decisions. However, several prerequisites have to be dealt with in order to ensure that models can be used as legitimate and efficient tools in water resource management. Based on empirical material from recent studies on the use of models in stakeholder dialogues, mainly focusing on catchment nutrient transport, two central problems are identified: (a) Models are laden with choices and thus depend on assumptions and priorities of modellers. (b) There are several factors that influence ability and willingness of stakeholders (as information recovers) to criticize or accept results of the modelling exercise. Recognized factors likely to influence stakeholders’ acceptance of model derived results include issues at stake, stakeholders’ ability to criticize model derived information, and their trust in the institutions that have developed or applied the used models. Identified prerequisites for successful use of models in integrated water resource management include: consideration of user relevance, awareness of and preparedness to handle constraints linked to communication of modelbased results, transparency of used models and data and of involved uncertainties, mutual respect between experts and stakeholders and between involved stakeholder groups, a robust institutional network, and sufficient time for dialogues. Development and use of strategies for participatory modelling, based on a continuous dialogue between experts and stakeholders is recommended as a way to facilitate that the prerequisites for a successful use of models in water resource management are fulfilled.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, (LUCSUS), Box 170, S-221 00, Lund, Sweden

    Johanna Alkan Olsson

  2. Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), S-601 76, Norrköping, Sweden

    Lotta Andersson

Authors
  1. Johanna Alkan Olsson
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  2. Lotta Andersson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Global Water System Project, Bonn, Germany

    Eric Craswell

  2. UNESCO Division of Water Sciences, Paris, France

    Mike Bonnell

  3. International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Deborah Bossio

  4. Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Siegfried Demuth

  5. University of Freiburg, Germany

    Siegfried Demuth

  6. Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

    Nick Van De Giesen

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Olsson, J.A., Andersson, L. (2006). Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management. In: Craswell, E., Bonnell, M., Bossio, D., Demuth, S., Van De Giesen, N. (eds) Integrated Assessment of Water Resources and Global Change. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5591-1_7

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