mDSS Demo

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mDSS Demo
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Index
1. Introduction to mDSS
2. The case study
3. Formalisation of the case study within the
Dpsir approach
4. Implementation of the case study in mDSS
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1. Introduction to mDSS
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What is mDSS?

• mDSS is
• a Decision Support System software,
• a component of a comprehensive approach developed
  at FEEM-NRM for supporting the process of
  participatory decision making NetSyMoD
• one of the few operational DSS tools available
  for supporting the implementation of the EU Water
  Framework Directive
• mDSS has been originally developed within the
  MULINO Project.
• mDSS4 has been developed by FEEM and Tiamasg,
  with the contribution of other EU funded
  projects Transcat, NostrumDss, Newater

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The mDSS within the NetSyMoD approach

• NetSyMoD
• Network Analysis Creative System Modelling
  Decision Support
• a flexible approach aimed at facilitating the
  involvement of stakeholders in the process of
  IWRM and NRM in general
• mDSS allows the users to manage the process of
  analysing a set of alternative options, by
  implementing
• routines facilitating the use of simulation
  models within a conceptual and communication
  framework developed upon the DPSIR approach
  (Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response),
  and
• Multi-Criteria Analysis Methods (MCAM) for
  supporting decisions in groups

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mDSS design and application context

• mDSS has been designed targeting the needs of the
  potential end users, in particular water
  administrations involved in the local
  implementation of the WFD
• mDSS is specifically targeted to support the
  development of RBMPs and, in particular for
• the identification of Pressures
• the assessment of Impacts, and
• the identification of best options for the
  Programmes of Measures
• the involvement of stakeholders in the planning
  process

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The mDSS approach

• mDSS implements Mulit-Criteria Analysis (MCA)
  decision methods within a conceptual and
  communication framework developed upon the DPSIR
  approach (Drive-Pressure-State-Impact-Response).
• MCA comprise a set of methods for identification,
  assessment and aggregation of preferences among
  alternative choices, widely used in operational
  research and decision making.
• DPSIR is a system for organising information that
  emphasises cause-effect relationships designed
  for environmental problem solving. A
  methodological framework (or guideline) for
  decision-makers that summarises key information
  (indicators) from different sectors.

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The DPSIR approach

• Driving forces Underlying causes and origins of
  pressure on the environment
• Pressures The variables which directly cause
  environmental problems
• State The current condition of the environment
• Impact The ultimate effects of changes of
  state, damage caused
• Response Decisional option
• Effort to solve the problem
• caused by the specific impact

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Typical mDSS application by End Users

• 1) Conceptual Phase the competent authority (CA)
  investigates the problem, by identifying
  pressures and impacts, possible alternative
  response options, and decision criteria with the
  adequate involvement of stakeholders
• 2) Design Phase the technical staff implements
  the decision problem in mDSS, collects indicator
  data, defines the details and finds practical
  solutions to the decisional criteria previously
  identified
• 3) Choice Phase the CA and the stakeholders
  investigate the decision, evaluate the responses,
  analyse robustness, conflicts, and select the
  preferred option (with iterations).

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2. The case study
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Case study

• Progamme of Measures of the Destra Piave
  Irrigation and Reclamation Board (north-east
  Italy)
• Integrated assessment in support of a decision
  about the reorganisation of the irrigation
  systems in the Piave River Basin
• A specific request of the competent
  administration was the evaluation of the project
  in different alternative scenarios
• The case study has been conducted by FEEM within
  the activities of the ISIIMM project

HarmoniCa, Osnabrueck (D) 5-7/4/06
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Irrigation management
The case study area is included within the Destra
Piave Reclamation Board Total Utilised
Agricultural Area is 33 200 ha (16 806 irrigated
area) Intensive Agriculture predominance of
field crops (cereals, soybean, meadows,
vineyards) Surface gravitational irrigation
system Distribution system network of primary
(31 km) and secondary (172 km) and tertiary
(concrete) canals and ditches (1200 km)
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Criticalities of the current irrigation system

• The current irrigation system is characterised by
  scarce efficiency in water use
• The existing distribution network is very old and
  requires substantial interventions
• Land concerned is not particularly suitable for
  surface irrigation system
• System operation and maintenance is very
  labour-intensive
• The increasing urbanisation process leads to
  increasing management problems

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Benefits and problems
Benefits saving of water used for irrigation and
drinking purposes more efficient irrigation
systems for professional farms Substitution of
obsolete infrastructures creation of a water
saving culture
Problems To understand who are possible losers to
establish consensus between the different
Institutions to receive financial support from
the Region to implement a synergies with other
administrations
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3. Formalisation of the case study with the Dpsir
approach
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Integrated Modelling and EIA in the DPSIR
framework
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Integrated Assesment in the DPSIR framework
Conflicts are increasing for the limited water
resources of the Piave River. Up-stream and
down-stream users are competing and pressing
farmers to reduce the amount of water use for
irrigation
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Deliberation of response plans
Public opinion asks for actions to be taken in
the agricultural sector, that is the main water
user
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Problem solving approach
Irrigation is clearly the agricultural activity
that utilises the larger amount of water, but the
system is complex secondary effects on surface
water flow, aquifer recharge, etc.
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Planning and Decision Making in the DPSIR
framework
The ordinary approach to reduce the amount of
water used for irrigation is the increasing of
water efficiency pressurised distribution and
sprinkler irrigation
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Planning and Decision Making in the DPSIR
framework
The substitution of surface gravitational systems
with pressurised sprinkler irrigations is
designed for reducing agricultural pressure on
the state of water resources and thus mitigating
the impacts on the Piave River
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4. Implementation of the case study in mDSS
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Implementation of the case in mDSS
The management group, with facilitator(s) and the
involved stakeholder start using the mDSS tool
only when a common vision of the problem has been
already developed in a dedicated workshop
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Identification of DPSI indicators
The indicators stored in external catalogues or
added to a new (internal) one can be selected and
added to the correct element of the DPSIR
framework
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Conceptual model DPSI chains
The DPSI causal chains relevant for the decision
identify the elements of the conceptual model of
the socio-eco-system
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Identification of decision criteria
Those indicators that are relevant for the
decision are selected to become decision criteria
(rows) in the Analysis Matrix (AM)
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Options and decisional criteria
Definition of the options
for defining the set of alternatives to be
analysed (columns of the AM)
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Loose or full coupling of models
or select values from pre-existing DB, maps, etc.
Run of external models and import of outputs in
mDSS
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Runs of external models for problem exploration
Crop simulation models can provide scientifically
robust insights in the performances of the
alternative irrigation systems to be later used
for providing indicator values
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Visualization of maps Map Window module
Opening the MapWindow module
Adding a raster map (grid coverage)
Adding a vector map (shapefile coverage)
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Visualization of maps Map Window module
Opening a Map from the Base DPSIR Window
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Visualization of maps Map Window module
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Building the analysis matrix with external data
to the analysis matrix
Selecting the correct data sources
from DB or other files and transferring the
correct information
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Multidimensional data stored in the AM
Decision criteria
Alternative options 2 irrigation systems
evaluated in 3 alternative territorial scenarios
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Value functions and evaluation matrix
Transformation of the analysis matrix into the
evaluation matrix
using preferences modelled by value functions
or by normalisation
Customizing the value function
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Weighting of criteria
Weighting the evaluation criteria
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Final scores of options
The sprinkler irrigation systems is preferred
independently from the evolution of the local
socio-environmental system
and identifying the preferred option
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Final scores of options Ranking Histogram
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Use of different decision rules
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Use of different decision rules
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Sensitivity analysis
Analysing the sensitivity of the decision to
variations of weights
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Sustainability analysis
Analysing the the results of the multi-criteria
analysis with respect to the three pillars of
sustainable development
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Group decision analysis
Analysing the possibility of finding a compromise
solution, by combining the sets of weights
expressed by different stakeholders
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Dossier
Saving diagrams during the analysis
Saving a dossier as an .xls file with multiple
sheets