Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 20.1 The characteristics of research and policy models. Most models lie somewhere between these two end-points.
Research models
Policy models
Research problem well defined as hypothesis which model addresses
Policy problem ill-defined, model more generalized
Accurate representation of processes
Adequate representation of processes
Complexity and (time and space) resolution reflect processes
Complexity and (time and space) resolution reflect data
Accurate representation of spatial variability
Adequate representation (existing data)
Sectoral and detailed
Less detailed but multi-sectoral (integrated or holistic)
Scientifically innovative
Scientifically proven
Raises more questions than answers
Provides simple(?), definitive(?) answers
Interesting and worthwhile in its own right
Interesting and worthwhile only through its output
Process centred
Input/output centred
Numbers can be validated
Outcomes can be validated
As complex as necessary
As simple as possible
As fast as possible
Faster (no more than a few minutes running)
Data hungry, if necessary
Data lean
being modelled. However, since the 1990s, modelling at
the WEEF nexus has become increasingly focused on
providing policy support. Examples of widely applied and
usable policy-relevant models include SWAT, 6 WEAP, 7
DSSAT, 8 InVEST, 9 MODULUS, 10 MEDACTION, 11
WATERWORLD, 12 though there are many more in
existence. However, though these tools are widely applied
by users other than their developers, usually by scientists
and often within the context of policy-relevant research,
there is still little evidence of such tools being used by
non-scientists.
This situation is attributed by van Delden et al . (2004)
in relation to the MODULUS system to potential fail-
ings in one or more of the following requirements for
successful uptake of PSS:
(b) Availability : are the system and the data needed to
apply it available?
(c) Credibility : is the output verified and trustworthy?
(d) Language : does the system talk to the users informa-
tion needs and available data?
(e) Culture : is there willingness to adopt PSS in the
decision-making process?
(f) Structure : who will work with the system and what is
their role in the organization?
Barriers to uptake in policy support
The reality for most of the policy-relevant models outlined
above is that they fail to meet one or more requirements
of van Delden et al . for successful uptake of PSS:
(a) Is the system useful? Many of them are but each has a
specific set of capabilities and none cover the entire
WEEF nexus.
(b) Are the systemand the data needed to apply it available?
Many of them are freely available (though some
require a license). WaterWorld is the only one to come
with all of the data necessary for application anywhere
globally and the lack of this can be a significant
limitation to the ease of application for others that
do not offer this. Even where data are provided it
often remains a black box that is difficult for users to
understand and verify, and its quality may be variable.
(c) Is the output verified and trustworthy? Many of these
are sophisticated multicomponent models. Often
their general operation and outputs have been veri-
fied as reasonable through testing but only some of
(a) Strategy : is the system useful?
6 The Soil Water Assessment Tool, http://swatmodel.tamu.edu/
(accessed 6 April 2012).
7 The Water Evaluation and Planning Tool, www.weap21.org/
(accessed 6 April 2012).
8 Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer, www
.icasa.net/dssat/(accessed 6 April 2012).
9 Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs,
www.naturalcapitalproject.org/InVEST.html
(accessed
6
April
2012).
10 A decision support system for understanding dryland degrada-
tion, www.riks.nl/projects/MODULUS (accessed 6 April 2012).
11 A policy support system for understanding dryland degradation,
www.riks.nl/projects/medaction (accessed 6 April 2012).
12 WaterWorld - a policy support system for understanding
impacts of climate, land use and land management interventions
on water, www.policysupport.org (accessed 6 April 2012).
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