Abstract deadline 20 October 2012
Objectives
This conference aims to discuss the entire policy cycle for water quality improvement. This cycle includes problem recognition, formulation of technical options, the process of policy development, interaction with policy makers, stakeholders and pressure groups, policy implementation, monitoring and research. This conference also aims to intensify contacts, on the one hand, between scientists with a background in natural sciences and scientists with a background in social and economic sciences and, on the other hand, between scientists, water managers and policy makers. In short, the objectives are:
– to provide forum for exchange of scientific knowledge, research on system knowledge, modelling and uncertainty;
– to discuss the entire policy cycle for water quality improvement;
– to intensify contacts (a) between soil/water related scientists, agro related scientists, social scientists, ecological scientists and economists, and (b) between scientists, water managers and policy makers.
Target groups and keywords
Target groups are scientists, managers and policy makers involved in the policy cycle for water quality improvement. It includes activities characterised by the following keywords: agronomy, agro-economics, agro-sociology, water management, water policy, hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems, unsaturated zone, groundwater, surface waters, drinking water, monitoring, modelling, water quality, nutrients, agro-chemicals.
THEMES
Contributions are solicited according to the following themes, themes A through F.
A.. Increasing system knowledge: research to increase understanding and improving modelling of the hydro(geo)logical, geochemical and biochemical reality
B.. Impact of climate change and weather variability: assessment of effect on groundwater and surface water quality and distinguishing from effect of human behaviour
C.. Assessment of national policy: assessment of effects of programmes of measures on water quality on a regional and national scale
D.. Field research and data interpretation: research (monitoring and modelling) at plot and field scale for quantifying effects of farming practices and changes in land use
E.. Managing protected areas: use of monitoring and modelling to improve water quality for drinking water supply areas and habitat and species protection areas
F.. Decision-making and implementation: role of policy, stakeholder and science in decision-making, and social and economic incentives and constraints for implementation (carrots and sticks)
For topics relevant to these themes.
FURTHER INFORMATION or please feel free to contact the Organising Committee:
– Dico Fraters, dico.fraters@rivm.nl
– Karel Kovar, karel.kovar@pbl.nl
