Social-ecological system approaches for water resources management

Animesh K. Gain; Sarwar Hossain; David Benson; Giuliano Di Baldassarre; Carlo Giupponi; Nazmul Huq

doi:10.1080/13504509.2020.1780647

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Social-ecological system approaches for water resources management

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Social-ecological system approaches for water resources management

Animesh K. Gain, Sarwar Hossain, David Benson, Giuliano Di Baldassarre, Carlo Giupponi and Nazmul Huq

International journal of sustainable development and world ecology, Vol.28(2), pp.109-124

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1780647

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Abstract

Social-ecological systems (SES)

attributes

methods

water management paradigms

feedback

non-linearity

In the era of the Anthropocene, understanding the dynamic interactions between humans and water is crucial for supporting both human well-being and the sustainable management of resources. The current water management challenges are inherently unpredictable and difficult to control. Social-ecological systems (SESs) approaches explicitly recognize the connections and feedbacks between human and natural systems. For addressing the complex challenges of the Anthropocene, consideration of SES attributes such as causality (or interdependence), feedback, non-linearity, heterogeneity, and cross-scale dynamics is important. In addition, innovative qualitative and quantitative methods such as Bayesian networks, agent-based modelling, system dynamics, network analysis, multicriteria analysis, integrated assessment and role-play games have recently been used in SES research. The overall goal of this review is to gauge the extent to which SES attributes and methods are considered within the current interdisciplinary water paradigm. The paper therefore develops the normative theoretical characteristics of SES in terms of its key attributes (i.e. causality, feedback, heterogeneity, nonlinearity, and cross-scale dynamics) incorporated in the water paradigm approaches. The paper then compares the methods applied in the interdisciplinary water paradigm and examines how they can complement each other. Finally, the paper reflects back on the usefulness of SES attributes and methods for assessing the interdisciplinary water paradigm and makes recommendations for future research.

Details

Title: Social-ecological system approaches for water resources management
Authors/Creators: Animesh K. Gain - Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Sarwar Hossain - University of Bern
David Benson - University of Exeter
Giuliano Di Baldassarre - Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science
Carlo Giupponi - Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Nazmul Huq - TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences
Publication Details: International journal of sustainable development and world ecology, Vol.28(2), pp.109-124
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Identifiers: 991005560348607891
Copyright: © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.153 Climate Change; 6.153.850 Water Governance
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology