Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso

The variety of demands that people place on water resources, coupled with the dynamics of the natural system, make water resource management highly complex. Models that can integrate aspects of society such as institutions, perceptions and behaviors along with aspects of the natural system such as r...

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Autores principales: Carr, Gemma, Barendrecht, Marlies, Debevec, Liza, Balana, Bedru
Formato: Resumen
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: EGU General Assembly 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/143206
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author Carr, Gemma
Barendrecht, Marlies
Debevec, Liza
Balana, Bedru
author_browse Balana, Bedru
Barendrecht, Marlies
Carr, Gemma
Debevec, Liza
author_facet Carr, Gemma
Barendrecht, Marlies
Debevec, Liza
Balana, Bedru
author_sort Carr, Gemma
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The variety of demands that people place on water resources, coupled with the dynamics of the natural system, make water resource management highly complex. Models that can integrate aspects of society such as institutions, perceptions and behaviors along with aspects of the natural system such as rainfall, runoff and water quality could offer a realistic approach to better understand and manage these complex systems. Much research progress in the development of such socio-hydrological models has been achieved in recent years. However, many gaps exist on how the decisions and actions of institutions and agencies, and their subsequent impacts on individuals, can be integrated within such models. In this study, a socio-hydrological model was developed using a set of empirical field data from the Black Volta (Mouhoun) watershed in south west Burkina Faso. Cultivation of the riparian zones and use of agrochemicals are commonly associated with increased sedimentation in the river and water pollution, respectively. The model aims to capture the relationships between agency support for water quality management, the capacity of local organizations to support farmers and land users, land use changes in the riparian zones, improved agricultural practices employed by farmers (e.g., reduced tillage, organic farming, or cultivating tree crops rather than vegetables), and suspended sediment concentration in the river as an indicator of water quality. The model is set up to reflect the current situation and scenarios are generated depicting plausible pathways to achieve improved water quality through riparian land management strategies. Comparison of the modelled scenarios shows that water quality could be improved if institutional support and public resource allocation for water management is raised, and the capacity of local level organizations is substantially increased compared to current levels. Semi-quantitative socio-hydrological models, such as the one developed in this study, may provide insights for the comparison and prioritization of different management strategies and guide interventions or support mechanisms that enable riparian land users to change their agricultural practices and lead to water quality improvements.
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spelling CGSpace1432062025-03-11T09:50:20Z Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso Carr, Gemma Barendrecht, Marlies Debevec, Liza Balana, Bedru models water management water capacity development water resources water quality control socio-hydrological model riparian zones The variety of demands that people place on water resources, coupled with the dynamics of the natural system, make water resource management highly complex. Models that can integrate aspects of society such as institutions, perceptions and behaviors along with aspects of the natural system such as rainfall, runoff and water quality could offer a realistic approach to better understand and manage these complex systems. Much research progress in the development of such socio-hydrological models has been achieved in recent years. However, many gaps exist on how the decisions and actions of institutions and agencies, and their subsequent impacts on individuals, can be integrated within such models. In this study, a socio-hydrological model was developed using a set of empirical field data from the Black Volta (Mouhoun) watershed in south west Burkina Faso. Cultivation of the riparian zones and use of agrochemicals are commonly associated with increased sedimentation in the river and water pollution, respectively. The model aims to capture the relationships between agency support for water quality management, the capacity of local organizations to support farmers and land users, land use changes in the riparian zones, improved agricultural practices employed by farmers (e.g., reduced tillage, organic farming, or cultivating tree crops rather than vegetables), and suspended sediment concentration in the river as an indicator of water quality. The model is set up to reflect the current situation and scenarios are generated depicting plausible pathways to achieve improved water quality through riparian land management strategies. Comparison of the modelled scenarios shows that water quality could be improved if institutional support and public resource allocation for water management is raised, and the capacity of local level organizations is substantially increased compared to current levels. Semi-quantitative socio-hydrological models, such as the one developed in this study, may provide insights for the comparison and prioritization of different management strategies and guide interventions or support mechanisms that enable riparian land users to change their agricultural practices and lead to water quality improvements. 2021-04-01 2024-05-22T12:12:31Z 2024-05-22T12:12:31Z Abstract https://hdl.handle.net/10568/143206 en https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.106855 https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2021.2020276 Open Access EGU General Assembly Carr, Gemma; Barendrecht, Marlies; Debevec, Liza; and Balana, Bedru. 2021. Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso. EGU21-11324. EGU General Assembly. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-11324
spellingShingle models
water management
water
capacity development
water resources
water quality control
socio-hydrological model
riparian zones
Carr, Gemma
Barendrecht, Marlies
Debevec, Liza
Balana, Bedru
Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title_full Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title_fullStr Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title_full_unstemmed Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title_short Integrating institutions into a socio-hydrological model: An example for water quality management in Burkina Faso
title_sort integrating institutions into a socio hydrological model an example for water quality management in burkina faso
topic models
water management
water
capacity development
water resources
water quality control
socio-hydrological model
riparian zones
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/143206
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