Hydrosocial research for better understanding, managing, and modeling human-nature interactions

Abstract

Traditional water management based on simple, linear growth optimization strategies overseen by command-and-control approaches has failed to resolve the inherent unpredictability and uncertainty of water systems, but also increasing tensions over freshwater use (Furlong et al., 2016). Beyond potential technical solutions, it is crucial to provide solid institutional settings and mechanisms for conflict resolution in water management. In most circumstances, water crises tend to go beyond hydrology, infrastructure, and financing; it is about who does what, at which scale, how, and why (Akhmouch and Clavreul, 2017). Assuming water has different physical, social, political, and symbolic value(s) both individually and collectively, it becomes necessary to reinforce stakeholders' involvement to better understand the motivations for conflict and potential solutions coexisting in multi-scalar water crises (Ricart, 2020). This suggests the need for holistic and systemic approaches to comprehend the complex and interlinked nature of water management and governance (Megdal et al., 2017). We concur there is an urgent need to promote the benefits of stakeholder engagement in reducing water conflicts, acknowledging the shift from “government” to “governance” that marked a transition from hierarchical decision-making to bottom-up and network-based forms of participation by promoting diffusion of boundaries between private and public, individual and collective actors (Swyngedouw, 1999; Akhmouch et al., 2018; Skrydstrup et al., 2020).