Land use models in complex societal problem solving: Plug and play or networking?

Contexualising the tool development process through a knowledge brokering approach: The case of climate change adaptation and agriculture

“…Such approaches are capable of not only working cross-scales by bridging the micro (farm or local regional) and macro (market or sector) levels but they also link different disciplinary perspectives so that social, environmental and economic impacts can be considered alongside each other (van Ittersum et al 2008). The variety in computer-based models or tools generated to aid decision making in this and other policy fields, however, has led to complaints about their poor up take as well a lively debate about how to better design or develop these tools so that they are of greater use to policy makers (Nilsson et al 2008;Sterk et al 2009a). The implicit assumption here is that the increased uptake and use of these models, especially for complex cross-cutting problems, will lead to more informed and ultimately 'better' decision making.…”

“…Various 'success factors' for the uptake by policy makers of agricultural modelling tools, as well as the knowledge that they generate, have been specified in the literature on tool development, including: the need for appropriate timing; the use of graphical interfaces; and greater transparency (Sterk et al 2009a). However, Sterk et al (2011) suggest tool developers go further and rethink how model development and application should be arranged.…”

Computerized models: tools for assessing the future of complex systems?

“…Land use models are especially appreciated for their study of interactions between the components of systems; they allow integration and synthesis of fragmented knowledge on processes and components of the system to arrive at a more holistic view. All successful introductions of land use models described by Sterk et al (2009a) fulfilled such a heuristic role. Another demonstrated role of land use and NRM models is relational, referring to the enhancement of mediation of conflicts between stakeholders or actors and contributions to community-building (facilitating the definition of common ground and purpose).…”

“…It was similar to existing networks on water and nature conservation. Reflecting upon the role of the model in the process, an informant in the Ministry claimed the new network would cease to exist if the EURURALIS modelling work were no longer part of the network (Sterk et al 2009a). According to the scientists and employee of the Ministry involved, the rural area directors especially appreciated the possibility of employing the EURURALIS tool as a card index and the visualization of output in land use maps because these features helped the users to get an overview of the diversity in developments and interdependencies in the rural area at both national and European levels.…”

“…Cases where a land use model had an impact combined a heuristic role with at least one other, for example a relational or symbolic role (Shackley 1997;Sterk et al 2009a;2011). Also, the models fed into different policy formulation venues, ranging from highlevel negotiations with directors of ministries, to far more technical policy analysis and support units of ministries or directorates (see below).…”