Integrated Water Resources Management and Adaptive Management: Shaping Science and Practice

Complexity of challenges associated with water resources management isincreasing due to factors such as climate variability and uncertainty, increasedregulatory requirements, changes in planning horizons, and trans-boundaryconsiderations. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) andAdaptive Management (AM) are widely publicized approaches developed andproposed to deal with this complexity.Both concepts have a history reaching back decades, but have been facingdifficulties in their transfer from theory into practice. There is a clear need tolook in more detail at the process of transforming IWRM and AM theory intopractice and this research investigates this process and the factors that mediateit. A conceptual framework was developed - characterizing the process fortransfer of theory into practice - that formed the basis for development of theresearch questions. The research approach focused on analyzing theimplementation pathways of IWRM and AM in four case studies, whoseselection was informed by the need to explore a context with extensive historyof IWRM and AM practice. Data collection took place through semi-structuredinterviews aiming to uncover how those involved in planning andimplementation of IWRM and AM experienced these processes. Besides aimingto understand the ‘lived experiences’, a more abstract framework of theprocess, factors and dynamics was derived, grounded in the views of therespondents.The findings indicate different types of factors that influence the theory topractice process for IWRM and AM, relating to: (a) theory and its use inpractice; (b) the environment that can complicate or facilitate theimplementation process; (c) the way cooperation and decision-makingprocesses are organized; and (d) individual attributes of those involved.Incorporating lessons from past into current initiatives are vital to more effectiveimplementation of IWRM and AM. This research gives greater insight into themediating factors and dynamics, providing this through empirical evidence into design of IWRM and AM planning and implementation. It also provides athorough discussion on what IWRM and AM exactly mean, proposing a newdefinition for both concepts.