Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Incorporating social dimensions in hydrological and water quality modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural beneficial management practices in a Prairie River Basin

  • Advances in Receiving Water Quality Models
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is growing interest to develop processes for creating user-informed watershed scale models of hydrology and water quality and to assist in decision-making for balanced policies for managing watersheds. Watershed models can be enhanced with the incorporation of social dimensions of watershed management as brought forward by participants such as the perspectives, values, and norms of people that depend on the land, water, and ecosystems for sustenance, economies, and overall wellbeing. In this work, we explore the value of combining both qualitative and quantitative methods and social science data to enhance salience and legitimacy of watershed models so that end-users are more engaged. We discuss pilot testing and engagement workshops for building and testing a systems dynamics model of the Qu’Appelle Valley to gather insights from local farmers and understand their perceptions of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). Mixed-method workshops with agricultural producers in the Qu’Appelle Watershed gathered feedback on the developing model and the incorporation of social determinants affecting decision-making. Analysis of focus groups and factor analysis of Q-sorts were used to identify the desired components of the model, and whether it supported farmers’ understanding of the potential effects of BMPs on water quality. We explored farmers’ engagement with models testing BMPs and the potential of incorporating their decision processes within the model itself. Finally, we discuss the reception of the process and the practicality of the approach in providing legitimate and credible decision support tools for a community of farmers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asgedom H, Kebreab E (2011) Beneficial management practices and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture of the Canadian Prairie: a review. Agron Sustain Dev 31(3):433–451

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour R (2018) Doing focus groups, 2nd edn. Sage, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnaud C, Le Page C, Dumrongrojwatthana P, Trébuil G (2013) Spatial representations are not neutral: lessons from a participatory agent-based modelling process in a land-use conflict. Environ Model Softw 45:150–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Basco-Carrera L, Warren A, van Beek E, Jonoski A, Giardino A (2017) Collaborative modelling or participatory modelling? A framework for water resources management. Environ Model Softw 91:95–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Blair P, Buytaert W (2016) Socio-hydrological modelling: a review asking “why, what and how?”. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 20(1):443–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Blöschl G, Bierkens MF, Chambel A, Cudennec C, Destouni G, Fiori A, …, Stumpp C (2019) Twenty-three unsolved problems in hydrology (UPH) – a community perspective. Hydrol Sci J 64:1141-1158. doi https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2019.1620507

  • Boucher MA, Tremblay D, Delorme L, Perreault L, Anctil F (2012) Hydro-economic assessment of hydrological forecasting systems. J Hydrol 416:133–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford L, Chun KP, Bonli R, Strickert G (2019) Does engagement build empathy for shared water resources? Results from the use of the interpersonal reactivity index during a mobile water allocation experimental decision laboratory. Water 11(6):1259

    Google Scholar 

  • Brannstrom C (2011) A Q-method analysis of environmental governance discourses in Brazil’s northeastern soy frontier. Prof Geogr 63(4):531–549

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown SR (1993) A primer on Q methodology. Operant Subj 16(3/4):91–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Bu H, Meng W, Zhang Y, Wan J (2014) Relationships between land use patterns and water quality in the Taizi River basin, China. Ecol Indic 41:187–197

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, Chang YC, Chen KC (2014) Integrated wetland management: an analysis with group model building based on system dynamics model. J Environ Manag 146:309–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Congreves KA, Grant BB, Campbell CA, Smith WN, VandenBygaart AJ, Kröbel R, Lemke RL, Desjardins RL (2015) Measuring and modeling the long-term impact of crop management on soil carbon sequestration in the semiarid Canadian prairies. Agron J 107(3):1141–1154

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coogan J, Herrington N (2011) Q methodology: an overview. Res Second Teach Educ 1(2):24–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrove WJ, Loucks DP (2015) Water management: current and future challenges and research directions. Water Resour Res 51(6):4823–4839

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell JW, Clark VL (2011) Designing and conducting mixed methods research: second edition. SAGE Publications. Accessed at https://books.google.ca/books/about/Designing_and_Conducting_Mixed_Methods_R.html?id=YcdlPWPJRBcC. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Daigneault PM, Jacob S (2014) Unexpected but most welcome: mixed methods for the validation and revision of the participatory evaluation measurement instrument. J Mixed Methods Res 8(1):6–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Denzin N (1984) The research act. Prentice Hall, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Baldassarre G, Viglione A, Carr G, Kuil L, Yan K, Brandimarte L, Blöschl G (2015) Debates—perspectives on socio-hydrology: capturing feedbacks between physical and social processes. Water Resour Res 51(6):4770–4781

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Baldassarre G, Sivapalan M, Rusca M, Cudennec C, Garcia M, Kreibich H, Konar M, Mondino E, Mård J, Pande S, Sanderson MR (2019) Socio-hydrology: scientific challenges in addressing a societal grand challenge. Water Resources Res https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2018WR023901?casa_token=48K6wEphQUQAAAAA:U9Ej6Aex4_hJHYgD3TIZxGy7A3BFn7o5gTUv7EmSRPBG6j2j9XDpfx4_2fd9LLoWkZyaJCbVsOlABvI. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Dixit AS, Hall RI, Leavitt PR, Quinlan R, Smol J (2000) Effects of sequential depositional basins on lake response to urban and agricultural pollution: a palaeoecological analysis of the Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada. Freshw Biol 43(3):319–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Eden S, Donaldson A, Walker G (2005) Structuring subjectivities? Using Q methodology in human geography. Area 37(4):413–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Elo S, Kääriäinen M, Kanste O, Pölkki T, Utriainen K, Kyngäs H (2014) Qualitative content analysis: a focus on trustworthiness. SAGE Open 4(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014522633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emery SB (2015) Independence and individualism: conflated values in farmer cooperation? Agric Hum Values 32(1):47–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer G, Hizsnyik E, Tramberend S, Wiberg D (2015) Towards indicators for water security-a global hydro-economic classification of water challenges. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria, IR-15-01 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/44737619.pdf. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Forrester JW (1994) System dynamics, systems thinking, and soft OR. Syst Dyn Rev 10(2-3):245–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Friesen J, Sinobas LR, Foglia L, Ludwig R (2017) Environmental and socio-economic methodologies and solutions towards integrated water resources management. Sci Total Environ 581-582:906–908

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fürst C, Volk M, Makeschin F (2010) Squaring the circle? Combining models, indicators, experts and end-users in integrated land-use management support tools. Environ Manag 46(6):829–833

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaddis EJB, Falk HH, Ginger C, Voinov A (2010) Effectiveness of a participatory modeling effort to identify and advance community water resource goals in St. Albans, Vermont. Environ Model Softw 25(11):1428–1438

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs GR (2007) Analysing qualitative data. London, England. SAGE Publications Ltd. (p10-23). Accessed at https://libguides.usask.ca/ld.php?content_id=34265141. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Gober P, Wheater HS (2015) Debates-perspectives on socio-hydrology: modeling flood risk as a public policy problem. Water Resour Res 51(6):4782–4788

  • Greene JC, Caracelli VJ, Graham WF (1989) Toward a conceptual framework for mixed-method evaluation designs. Educ Eval Policy Anal 11(3):255–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassanzadeh E, Elshorbagy A, Wheater H, Gober P (2014) Managing water in complex systems: an integrated water resources model for Saskatchewan, Canada. Environ Model Softw 58:12–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassanzadeh E, Elshorbagy A, Wheater H, Gober P (2016) A risk-based framework for water resource management under changing water availability, policy options, and irrigation expansion. Adv Water Resour 94:291–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassanzadeh E, Strickert G, Morales-Marin L, Noble B, Baulch H, Shupena-Soulodre E, Lindenschmidt K-E (2019) A framework for engaging stakeholders in water quality modeling and management: application to the Qu’Appelle River Basin, Canada. J Environ Manag 231:1117–1126

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh HF, Shannon SE (2005) Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res 15(9):1277–1288

    Google Scholar 

  • Inam A, Adamowski J, Prasher S, Halbe J, Malard J, Albano R (2017) Coupling of a distributed stakeholder-built system dynamics socio-economic model with SAHYSMOD for sustainable soil salinity management–part 1: model development. J Hydrol 551:596–618

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson RB, Onwuegbuzie AJ, Turner LA (2007) Toward a definition of mixed methods research. J Mixed Methods Res 1(2):112–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly RA, Jakeman AJ, Barreteau O, Borsuk ME, ElSawah S, Hamilton SH, Henriksen HJ, Kuikka S, Maier HR, Rizzoli AE, van Delden H (2013) Selecting among five common modelling approaches for integrated environmental assessment and management. Environ Model Softw 47:159–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendy E, Flessa KW, Schlatter KJ, Carlos A, Huerta OMH, Carrillo-Guerrero YK, Guillen E (2017) Leveraging environmental flows to reform water management policy: lessons learned from the 2014 Colorado River Delta pulse flow. Ecol Eng 106:683–694

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitzinger J (1995) Qualitative research: introducing focus groups. BMJ 311(7000):299–302. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.311.7000.299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski K, Stagl S, Madlener R, Omann I (2009) Sustainable energy futures: methodological challenges in combining scenarios and participatory multi-criteria analysis. Eur J Oper Res 197(3):1063–1074

    Google Scholar 

  • Laforge JM, Levkoe CZ (2018) Seeding agroecology through new farmer training in Canada: knowledge, practice, and relational identities. Local Environ 23(1):1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee SW, Hwang SJ, Lee SB, Hwang HS, Sung HC (2009) Landscape ecological approach to the relationships of land use patterns in watersheds to water quality characteristics. Landsc Urban Plan 92(2):80–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey E, McGuinness L (1998) Significant elements of community involvement in participatory action research: evidence from a community project. J Adv Nurs 28(5):1106–1114

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malec E (2018) The benefits of using computer simulation models to support decision-making. In: Hamrol A, Ciszak O, Legutko S, Jurczyk M (eds) Advances in Manufacturing. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Cham, pp 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68619-6_20

  • Mertens DM (2017) Mixed methods design in evaluation (Vol. 1). SAGE publications, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirchi A (2013) System dynamics modeling as a quantitative-qualitative framework for sustainable water resources management: insights for water quality policy in the Great Lakes Region (Doctoral dissertation, Michigan Technological University)

  • Mirchi A, Madani K, Watkins D, Ahmad S (2012) Synthesis of system dynamics tools for holistic conceptualization of water resources problems. Water Resour Manag 26(9):2421–2442

    Google Scholar 

  • Paolisso M (2002) Blue crabs and controversy on the Chesapeake Bay: a cultural model for understanding watermen’s reasoning about blue crab management. Hum Organ 61(3):226–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Paolisso M, Trombley J (2017) Cognitive, material and technological considerations in participatory environmental modeling. In: Gray S, Paolisso M, Jordan R, Gray S (eds) Environmental modeling with stakeholders. Springer, Cham, pp 3-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25053-3_1

  • Paolisso M, Trombley J, Hood RR, Sellner KG (2015) Environmental models and public stakeholders in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Estuar Coasts 38(1):97–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomeroy JW, de Boer D, Martz LW (2005) Hydrology and water resources of Saskatchewan. Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, p 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston SD, Alexander RB, Woodside MD, Hamilton PA (2009) SPARROW modeling: enhancing understanding of the nation’s water quality. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2009–3019, 6 p. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3019/. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Ramlo S (2016) Mixed method lessons learned from 80 years of Q methodology. J Mixed Methods Res 10(1):28–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Ravera F, Hubacek K, Reed M, Tarrasón D (2011) Learning from experiences in adaptive action research: a critical comparison of two case studies applying participatory scenario development and modelling approaches. Environ Policy Gov 21(6):433–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricart S (2018) Water management and irrigation governance in the Anthropocene: moving from physical solutions to social involvement. J Geogr Environ Earth Sci Int 15(4):1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivers MR, Weaver DM, Smettem KRJ, Davies PM (2011) Estimating future scenarios for farm–watershed nutrient fluxes using dynamic simulation modelling. Phys Chem Earth A/B/C 36(9-11):420–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenstein B (2002) Video use in social science research and program evaluation. Int J Qual Methods 1(3):22–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Saldaña J (2015) The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Saldaña J (2016) The coding manual for qualitative researchers - third Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd., London Accessed at https://libguides.usask.ca/ld.php?content_id=34265207. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Schall D, Lansing D, Leisnham P, Shirmohammadi A, Montas H, Hutson T (2018) Understanding stakeholder perspectives on agricultural best management practices and environmental change in the Chesapeake Bay: a Q methodology study. J Rural Stud 60:21–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlicht SB (1998) Perceptions of secondary students with learning disabilities regarding their networking knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Minnesota, USA.

  • Schmeier S, Vogel B (2018) Ensuring long-term cooperation over transboundary water resources through joint river basin management. In: Schmutz S, Sendzimir J (eds) Riverine ecosystem management. Aquatic Ecology Series, vol 8. Springer, Cham

  • Scown MW, Flotemersch JE, Spanbauer TL, Eason T, Garmestani A, Chaffin BC (2017) People and water: exploring the social-ecological condition of watersheds of the United States. Elementa (Washington, DC) 5(64):1

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh VP, Frevert DK (2003) Watershed models. In: Rogers JR, Fredrich AJ (eds) Environmental and water resources history. American Society of Civil Engineers, pp 156–167. https://doi.org/10.1061/40650(2003)16

  • Smith RA, Schwarz GE, Alexander RB (1997) Regional interpretation of water-quality monitoring data. Water Resour Res 33:2781–2798

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strickert G, Smarasinghe S, Doscher C, Davies T (2010) A gap hazard analysis: initiating policy development with mountainous communities. J Nat Resour Policy Res 2(4):389–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickert G, Chun KP, Bradford L, Clark D, Gober P, Reed MG, Payton D (2016) Unpacking viewpoints on water security: lessons from the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Water Policy 18(1):50–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickert GE, Hassanzadeh E, Noble B, Baulch HM, Morales-Marin LA, Lindenschmidt K-E (2017) Putting people into water quality modelling. In AGU fall meeting abstracts. PA31B: science to action: building novel and transformative partnerships toward decision-relevant science III posters, December 13th, 2017, New Orleans, LA

  • SWA (Saskatchewan Watershed Authority) (2012) Present and future water demand in the Qu’Appelle River Basin. Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. https://www.wsask.ca/Global/Lakes%20and%20Rivers/Provincial%20Forecast/2014/QuAppelle%20Water%20Demand%20Study.pdf. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Todini E (2017) Flood forecasting and decision making in the new millennium. Where are we? Water Resour Manag 31(10):3111–3129

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong ST, Chen W (2002) Modeling the relationship between land use and surface water quality. J Environ Manag 66(4):377–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonitto C, Woodbury PB, McLellan EL (2018) Defining a best practice methodology for modeling the environmental performance of agriculture. Environ Sci Policy 87:64–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Troy TJ, Pavao-Zuckerman M, Evans TP (2015) Debates—perspectives on socio-hydrology: socio-hydrologic modeling: tradeoffs, hypothesis testing, and validation. Water Resour Res 51(6):4806–4814

    Google Scholar 

  • Valls-Donderis P, Ray D, Peace A, Stewart A, Lawrence A, Galiana F (2014) Participatory development of decision support systems: which features of the process lead to improved uptake and better outcomes? Scand J For Res 29(sup1):71–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Exel J, De Graaf G (2005) Q methodology: a sneak preview. Retrieved from www.researchgate.net at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gjalt_Graaf/publication/228574836_Q_Methodology_A_Sneak_Preview/links/02bfe50f946fc9978b000000/Q-Methodology-A-Sneak-Preview.pdf. Accessed 7 Sept 2019

  • Voinov A, Gaddis EJB (2008) Lessons for successful participatory watershed modeling: a perspective from modeling practitioners. Ecol Model 216(2):197–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer D, Regan HM, Andelman SJ (2016) Assessing the sustainability of freshwater systems: a critical review of composite indicators. Ambio 45(7):765–780

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer D, Shaad K, Souter NJ, Farrell T, Dudgeon D, Sullivan CA, Fauconnier I, MacDonald GM, McCartney MP, Power AG, McNally A (2018) Integrating the social, hydrological and ecological dimensions of freshwater health: the freshwater health index. Sci Total Environ 627:304–313

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheater H, Gober P (2013) Water security in the Canadian prairies: science and management strategies. Phil Trans R Soc A 371:20120409. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2012.0409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiek A, Larson KL (2012) Water, people, and sustainability—a systems framework for analyzing and assessing water governance regimes. Water Resour Manag 26(11):3153–3171

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson S (1998) Focus group methodology: a review. Int J Soc Res Methodol 1(3):181–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Winz I, Brierley G, Trowsdale S (2009) The use of system dynamics simulation in water resources management. Water Resour Manag 23(7):1301–1323

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin R (1994) Case study research: design and methods, 2nd edn. Sage Publishing, Beverly Hills

    Google Scholar 

  • Zabala A, Pascual U (2016) Bootstrapping Q methodology to improve the understanding of human perspectives. PLoS One 11(2):e0148087

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund (project number 1000370120-EDF-CA-2015I001)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Room 323, Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C8, Canada

    Lori Bradford, Anuja Thapa, Ashleigh Duffy, Graham Strickert & Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt

  2. Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, PQ, Canada

    Elmira Hassanzadeh

  3. Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Bram Noble

Authors
  1. Lori Bradford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anuja Thapa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ashleigh Duffy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Elmira Hassanzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Graham Strickert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Bram Noble
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt.

Ethics declarations

This project received ethics certification from the University of Saskatchewan (BEH 17-84), and all participants gave informed consent during each phase of the work.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 47 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bradford, L., Thapa, A., Duffy, A. et al. Incorporating social dimensions in hydrological and water quality modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural beneficial management practices in a Prairie River Basin. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 14271–14287 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06325-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06325-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation