 | A guide to complexity theory and systems thinking for integrated water resources research and management |
| Expanded Title: | The report first examines integrated water resources research and management in t he light of the theory of complexity and systems thinking. Two case studies and their analysis in terms of the theory theory are discussed in the second section.
The UN World Water Development Report (2006), indicateds IWRM represents a ‘holistic, ecosystem-based approach which, at both strategic and local levels, is the best management approach to address growing water management challenges with equity and sustainability. It is necessary to integrate bio-physical, social and economic disciplines in a systems approach and this has led to the development of complexity theory. The intricacies are explained in Chapters 2 – 4 of the report. Chapters 5 and 6 examine case studies. The first case study concerns the adoption of Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM) by SANParks in the Kruger National Park.
This case study illustrates the gradual acceptance of complexity by KNP management, particularly given the changing political, socio-economic and environmental context within which management has to occur. IWRM requires involvement of all stakeholders to be successful. This case study explores the issues of self-organisation and feedbacks as emergent properties of an evolving complex adaptive system. Both of these - self-organisation and feedbacks - are important properties of complex and resilient systems, particularly since they provide the basis for reflexivity and learning amongst the stakeholders involved. The second case study examines the role of self-organisation and multi-scale feedbacks for learning and responsivity in IWRM. |
| Date Published: | 01/10/2011 |
| Document Type: | Research Report |
| Document Subjects: | Water Resource Management/IWRM - Planning and development, Ecosystem - Biodiversity protection |
| Document Format: | Report |
| Document File Type: | pdf |
| Research Report Type: | Consultant |
| WRC Report No: | KV 277/11 |
| ISBN No: | 978-1-4312-0162-4 |
| Authors: | Pollard S; Du Toit D; Biggs H |
| Project No: | K8/854 |
| Originator: | WRC |
| Organizations: | AWARD, Association for Water and Rural Development,; SANParks, Skukuza |
| Document Size: | 3 460 KB |
| Attachments: | Executive summary for KV 277.pdf
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