Hedwig van Delden
Research interests
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InterestsLand Use Change, Land Use Planning, Land Use Science, model integration, Bridging the science - policy gap, Coupled human-environment systems
Publications
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A methodology for the design and development of integrated models for policy support.
Environmental Modelling and Software. 01/2011; 26:266-279.
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3.09Impact points
A methodology for the design and development of integrated models for policy support
Environmental Modelling and Software. 01/2011;
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1.50Impact points
How can we make progress with decision support systems in landscape and river basin management? Lessons learned from a comparative analysis of four different decision support systems.
Environmental management. 12/2010; 46(6):834-49.
This article analyses the benefits and shortcomings of the recently developed decision support systems (DSS) FLUMAGIS, Elbe-DSS, CatchMODS, and MedAction. The analysis elaborates on the following aspects: (i) application area/decision problem, (ii) stakeholder interaction/users involved, (iii) struc... [more] This article analyses the benefits and shortcomings of the recently developed decision support systems (DSS) FLUMAGIS, Elbe-DSS, CatchMODS, and MedAction. The analysis elaborates on the following aspects: (i) application area/decision problem, (ii) stakeholder interaction/users involved, (iii) structure of DSS/model structure, (iv) usage of the DSS, and finally (v) most important shortcomings. On the basis of this analysis, we formulate four criteria that we consider essential for the successful use of DSS in landscape and river basin management. The criteria relate to (i) system quality, (ii) user support and user training, (iii) perceived usefulness and (iv) user satisfaction. We can show that the availability of tools and technologies for DSS in landscape and river basin management is good to excellent. However, our investigations indicate that several problems have to be tackled. First of all, data availability and homogenisation, uncertainty analysis and uncertainty propagation and problems with model integration require further attention. Furthermore, the appropriate and methodological stakeholder interaction and the definition of 'what end-users really need and want' have been documented as general shortcomings of all four examples of DSS. Thus, we propose an iterative development process that enables social learning of the different groups involved in the development process, because it is easier to design a DSS for a group of stakeholders who actively participate in an iterative process. We also identify two important lines of further development in DSS: the use of interactive visualization tools and the methodology of optimization to inform scenario elaboration and evaluate trade-offs among environmental measures and management alternatives.
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Monitoring Desertification using EO Technologies: Experience of the ESA DUE DesertWatch Project.
IEEE International Geoscience & Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2009, July 12-17, 2009, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Proceedings; 01/2009
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A formal framework for scenario development in support of environmental decision-making.
Environmental Modelling and Software. 01/2009; 24:798-808.
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Combining two approaches of integrated scenario development to combat desertification in the Guadalentín watershed, Spain
Pion Ltd, London, Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design. 01/2009; 36(1):49-66.
Desertification in Spain is a largely society-driven process, which can be managed effectively only through an understanding of environmental, sociocultural, and economic driving forces. This calls for a more active role of decision makers and other stakeholders. We present two promising approaches—... [more] Desertification in Spain is a largely society-driven process, which can be managed effectively only through an understanding of environmental, sociocultural, and economic driving forces. This calls for a more active role of decision makers and other stakeholders. We present two promising approaches—participatory stakeholder workshops and a spatial policy support system (PoSS)—to develop future scenarios of land-use change for a watershed in Spain. We furthermore discuss the efforts involved and the added values of combining both methods. Based on two local workshops, three scenarios were constructed, which were subsequently formalised, parameterised, and quantified. We conclude that there are large advantages of linking narrative storylines and a spatial PoSS. Storylines ensure an active participation of a large range of stakeholders, additionally offering the possibility to develop highly integrated scenarios. The PoSS provides a spatially detailed and quantitative output, that can also be used to check the internal consistency of the qualitative scenarios. Linking stories and models can thus open the way for more successful management strategies to combat land degradation.
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A formal framework for scenario development in support of environmental decision-making
Environmental Modelling & Software.
Scenarios are possible future states of the world that represent alternative plausible conditions under different assumptions. Often, scenarios are developed in a context relevant to stakeholders involved in their applications since the evaluation of scenario outcomes and implications can enhance de... [more] Scenarios are possible future states of the world that represent alternative plausible conditions under different assumptions. Often, scenarios are developed in a context relevant to stakeholders involved in their applications since the evaluation of scenario outcomes and implications can enhance decision-making activities. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of scenario development and proposes a formal approach to scenario development in environmental decision-making. The discussion of current issues in scenario studies includes advantages and obstacles in utilizing a formal scenario development framework, and the different forms of uncertainty inherent in scenario development, as well as how they should be treated. An appendix for common scenario terminology has been attached for clarity. Major recommendations for future research in this area include proper consideration of uncertainty in scenario studies in particular in relation to stakeholder relevant information, construction of scenarios that are more diverse in nature, and sharing of information and resources among the scenario development research community.
