IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i21p6178-d283792.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Agent-Based Modelling of a Coupled Water Demand and Supply System at the Catchment Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Lisa Huber

    (Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)

  • Nico Bahro

    (Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)

  • Georg Leitinger

    (Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)

  • Ulrike Tappeiner

    (Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
    Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso, 1, 39100 Bozen, Italy)

  • Ulrich Strasser

    (Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)

Abstract

Water is of uttermost importance for human well-being and a central resource in sustainable development. Many simulation models for sustainable water management, however, lack explanatory and predictive power because the two-way dynamic feedbacks between human and water systems are neglected. With Agent-based Modelling of Resources (Aqua.MORE; here, of the resource water), we present a platform that can support understanding, interpretation and scenario development of resource flows in coupled human–water systems at the catchment scale. Aqua.MORE simulates the water resources in a demand and supply system, whereby water fluxes and socioeconomic actors are represented by individual agents that mutually interact and cause complex feedback loops. First, we describe the key steps for developing an agent-based model (ABM) of water demand and supply, using the platform Aqua.MORE. Second, we illustrate the modelling process by application in an idealized Alpine valley, characterized by touristic and agricultural water demand sectors. Here, the implementation and analysis of scenarios highlights the possibilities of Aqua.MORE (1) to easily deploy case study-specific agents and characterize them, (2) to evaluate feedbacks between water demand and supply and (3) to compare the effects of different agent behavior or water use strategies. Thereby, we corroborate the potential of Aqua.MORE as a decision-support tool for sustainable watershed management.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Huber & Nico Bahro & Georg Leitinger & Ulrike Tappeiner & Ulrich Strasser, 2019. "Agent-Based Modelling of a Coupled Water Demand and Supply System at the Catchment Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:6178-:d:283792
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/21/6178/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/21/6178/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bert, Federico E. & Rovere, Santiago L. & Macal, Charles M. & North, Michael J. & Podestá, Guillermo P., 2014. "Lessons from a comprehensive validation of an agent based-model: The experience of the Pampas Model of Argentinean agricultural systems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 273(C), pages 284-298.
    2. Anja Soboll & Michael Elbers & Roland Barthel & Juergen Schmude & Andreas Ernst & Ralf Ziller, 2011. "Integrated regional modelling and scenario development to evaluate future water demand under global change conditions," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 477-498, April.
    3. Masih Akhbari & Neil Grigg, 2013. "A Framework for an Agent-Based Model to Manage Water Resources Conflicts," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(11), pages 4039-4052, September.
    4. Xiao-Chen Yuan & Yi-Ming Wei & Su-Yan Pan & Ju-Liang Jin, 2014. "Urban Household Water Demand in Beijing by 2020: An Agent-Based Model," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(10), pages 2967-2980, August.
    5. An, Li, 2012. "Modeling human decisions in coupled human and natural systems: Review of agent-based models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 25-36.
    6. Jan C. Thiele & Winfried Kurth & Volker Grimm, 2014. "Facilitating Parameter Estimation and Sensitivity Analysis of Agent-Based Models: A Cookbook Using NetLogo and 'R'," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11.
    7. Kathryn Furlong & Nils Petter Gleditsch & Håvard Hegre, 2006. "Geographic Opportunity and Neomalthusian Willingness: Boundaries, Shared Rivers, and Conflict," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 79-108, April.
    8. Grimm, Volker & Berger, Uta & DeAngelis, Donald L. & Polhill, J. Gary & Giske, Jarl & Railsback, Steven F., 2010. "The ODD protocol: A review and first update," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(23), pages 2760-2768.
    9. Junying Chu & Can Wang & Jining Chen & Hao Wang, 2009. "Agent-Based Residential Water Use Behavior Simulation and Policy Implications: A Case-Study in Beijing City," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(15), pages 3267-3295, December.
    10. Roland Barthel & Tim Reichenau & Tatjana Krimly & Stephan Dabbert & Karl Schneider & Wolfram Mauser, 2012. "Integrated Modeling of Global Change Impacts on Agriculture and Groundwater Resources," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(7), pages 1929-1951, May.
    11. Mette Kildegaard Graversen, 2011. "Regulating water extraction in a river basin with upstream-downstream communities," IFRO Working Paper 2011/2, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.
    12. Lynne Hamill, 2010. "Agent-Based Modelling: The Next 15 Years," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 13(4), pages 1-7.
    13. Claude Meisch & Uta Schirpke & Lisa Huber & Johannes Rüdisser & Ulrike Tappeiner, 2019. "Assessing Freshwater Provision and Consumption in the Alpine Space Applying the Ecosystem Service Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Jule Thober & Birgit Müller & Jürgen Groeneveld & Volker Grimm, 2017. "Agent-Based Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems: Achievements, Challenges, and a Way Forward," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 20(2), pages 1-8.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kazeem B. Adedeji & Yskandar Hamam, 2020. "Cyber-Physical Systems for Water Supply Network Management: Basics, Challenges, and Roadmap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-30, November.
    2. Wang, Shunke & Chang, Jingjing & Xue, Jie & Sun, Huaiwei & Zeng, Fanjiang & Liu, Lei & Liu, Xin & Li, Xinxin, 2024. "Coupling behavioral economics and water management policies for agricultural land-use planning in basin irrigation districts: Agent-based socio-hydrological modeling and application," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Robert Huber & Hang Xiong & Kevin Keller & Robert Finger, 2022. "Bridging behavioural factors and standard bio‐economic modelling in an agent‐based modelling framework," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(1), pages 35-63, February.
    2. Troost, Christian & Huber, Robert & Bell, Andrew R. & van Delden, Hedwig & Filatova, Tatiana & Le, Quang Bao & Lippe, Melvin & Niamir, Leila & Polhill, J. Gareth & Sun, Zhanli & Berger, Thomas, 2023. "How to keep it adequate: A protocol for ensuring validity in agent-based simulation," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 159, pages 1-21.
    3. An, Li & Grimm, Volker & Sullivan, Abigail & Turner II, B.L. & Malleson, Nicolas & Heppenstall, Alison & Vincenot, Christian & Robinson, Derek & Ye, Xinyue & Liu, Jianguo & Lindkvist, Emilie & Tang, W, 2021. "Challenges, tasks, and opportunities in modeling agent-based complex systems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 457(C).
    4. Huber, Robert & Bakker, Martha & Balmann, Alfons & Berger, Thomas & Bithell, Mike & Brown, Calum & Grêt-Regamey, Adrienne & Xiong, Hang & Le, Quang Bao & Mack, Gabriele & Meyfroidt, Patrick & Millingt, 2018. "Representation of decision-making in European agricultural agent-based models," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 143-160.
    5. Noeldeke, Beatrice & Winter, Etti & Ntawuhiganayo, Elisée Bahati, 2022. "Representing human decision-making in agent-based simulation models: Agroforestry adoption in rural Rwanda," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    6. Brinkmann, Katja & Kübler, Daniel & Liehr, Stefan & Buerkert, Andreas, 2021. "Agent-based modelling of the social-ecological nature of poverty traps in southwestern Madagascar," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    7. Utomo, Dhanan Sarwo & Onggo, Bhakti Stephan & Eldridge, Stephen, 2018. "Applications of agent-based modelling and simulation in the agri-food supply chains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 269(3), pages 794-805.
    8. Anbari, Mohammad Javad & Zarghami, Mahdi & Nadiri, Ata-Allah, 2021. "An uncertain agent-based model for socio-ecological simulation of groundwater use in irrigation: A case study of Lake Urmia Basin, Iran," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    9. Bourceret, Amélie & Amblard, Laurence & Mathias, Jean-Denis, 2022. "Adapting the governance of social–ecological systems to behavioural dynamics: An agent-based model for water quality management using the theory of planned behaviour," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    10. Lapp, Maya & Long, Colby, 2022. "A new approach to agent-based models of Community Resource Management based on the analysis of cheating, monitoring, and sanctioning," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 468(C).
    11. Letschert, Jonas & Müller, Birgit & Dressler, Gunnar & Möllmann, Christian & Stelzenmüller, Vanessa, 2025. "Simulating fishery dynamics by combining empirical data and behavioral theory," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 501(C).
    12. Bourceret, Amélie & Accatino, Francesco & Robert, Corinne, 2024. "A modeling framework of a territorial socio-ecosystem to study the trajectories of change in agricultural phytosanitary practices," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 494(C).
    13. Grimm, Volker & Berger, Uta, 2016. "Structural realism, emergence, and predictions in next-generation ecological modelling: Synthesis from a special issue," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 326(C), pages 177-187.
    14. Anshuka Anshuka & Floris F. Ogtrop & David Sanderson & Simone Z. Leao, 2022. "A systematic review of agent-based model for flood risk management and assessment using the ODD protocol," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 112(3), pages 2739-2771, July.
    15. George Van Voorn & Geerten Hengeveld & Jan Verhagen, 2020. "An agent based model representation to assess resilience and efficiency of food supply chains," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, November.
    16. Jonas Friege & Georg Holtz & Emile Chappin, 2016. "Exploring Homeowners’ Insulation Activity," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 19(1), pages 1-4.
    17. Egger, Claudine & Plutzar, Christoph & Mayer, Andreas & Dullinger, Iwona & Dullinger, Stefan & Essl, Franz & Gattringer, Andreas & Bohner, Andreas & Haberl, Helmut & Gaube, Veronika, 2022. "Using the SECLAND model to project future land-use until 2050 under climate and socioeconomic change in the LTSER region Eisenwurzen (Austria)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    18. Chudzińska, Magda & Ayllón, Daniel & Madsen, Jesper & Nabe-Nielsen, Jacob, 2016. "Discriminating between possible foraging decisions using pattern-oriented modelling: The case of pink-footed geese in Mid-Norway during their spring migration," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 320(C), pages 299-315.
    19. Halsey, Samniqueka J. & Miller, James R., 2018. "A spatial agent-based model of the disease vector Ixodes scapularis to explore host-tick associations," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 387(C), pages 96-106.
    20. repec:plo:pone00:0191649 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Giacomo Ravaioli & Tiago Domingos & Ricardo F. M. Teixeira, 2023. "A Framework for Data-Driven Agent-Based Modelling of Agricultural Land Use," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-17, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:6178-:d:283792. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.