Sustainable Water Resource Management and Participatory System Dynamics. Case Study: Developing the Palouse Basin Participatory Model

Allyson Beall, Fritz Fiedler, Jan Boll and Barbara Cosens
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Allyson Beall: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Washington State University, P.O. Box 642812, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
Fritz Fiedler: Waters of the West, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 443002, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Jan Boll: Waters of the West, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 443002, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Barbara Cosens: Waters of the West, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 443002, Moscow, ID 83844, USA

Sustainability, 2011, vol. 3, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: The complexity of explaining highly scientific information and juggling a plethora of social values is leading agencies and communities such as those in the Palouse Basin to explore the use of participatory modeling processes using system dynamics. Participatory system dynamics as a methodology creates a transparent nexus of science, policy options, social concerns and local knowledge that enhances discussion of issues surrounding the use of natural resources. The process of developing a systems model uses the tenets of scientific theory, hypothesis testing and clear statements of assumptions. A unique aspect of the Palouse basin project is the use of system dynamics to describe ground water dynamics in a sole source confined aquifer system. There are, as of yet, no standards for analyzing participatory modeling projects, therefore, we use case study analysis to describe the process, insights and qualitative measurements of success.

Keywords: participatory modeling; collaborative modeling; system dynamics; ground water (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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