Workpackage 4

Work Package 4 (WP4): Data collection

Start date or starting event: Month 24

Objectives and input to workpackage

• Once the four networks have been complete they will be evaluated by simulating the impacts of a range of management options at the four sites. There will be two major aspects to the work:

1. To simulate a series of options to show how each will impact on the variables included within the network and demonstrate that the results will be of practical value to planners and managers
2. To present the graphical output to the stakeholder groups for comment and assessment

• The aim will be to demonstrate how the Bn can be used as an effective integrated management and planning tool, and how they can simplify the presentation of the impacts of alternative schemes to the community at large.

Methodology / Description of work

• Evaluation of the networks will be carried out by all the study area partners (Nos1, 3, 4, and 5) with guidance provided by Aalborg and Birmingham. The task will begin at month 24 and be co-ordinated by CESI. Input to the workpackage will be the completed Bns developed within WP2.

• Once complete the Bns can be appraised by using them to assess the impacts of a range of management options. Selected options will be entered into the network to assess how they impact on the range of variables affected. For example, an option to reduce groundwater abstraction will tend to 'improve' environmental variables such as 'river flow' and 'wetland habitats', but might have economic impacts if water now needs to be imported from distance. An alternative option might be to maintain abstraction, but augment river flows with treated sewage. This will tend to improve some environmental variables but degrade others.

• The networks will quantify the degree of improvement or degradation for each variable, while at the same time explicitly represent the uncertainty attached to the prediction. This will give the planner the information needed to select any particular option. Bns offer a much simpler and effective way to make and present decisions than current conventional techniques.