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Drivers influencing adaptive management: a retrospective evaluation of water quality decisions in South East Queensland (Australia)

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Abstract

This article analyzes interviews with natural resource managers in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia. The objectives of the research are (i) to apply and test deductive/inductive text analysis methods for constructing a conceptual model of water quality decision-making in SEQ, (ii) to understand the role of information in the decision-making process, and (iii) to understand how to improve adaptive management in SEQ. Our methodology provided the means to quickly and objectively explore interview data and also reduce potential subjective bias normally associated with deductive text analysis methods. At a more practical level, our methodology indicates potential intervention points if one is to influence the decision-making process in the region. Results indicate that relevant information is often ignored in SEQ, with significant consequences for adaptive management. Contextual factors (political, social, and environmental) together with effective communication or lobbying strategies often prevent evidence-based decisions. We propose that in addition to generating information to support decisions, adaptive management also requires an appraisal of the true character of the decision-making process, which includes how stakeholders interact, what information is relevant and salient to management, and how the available information should be communicated to stakeholders and decision-making bodies.

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Notes

  1. Asymmetric information is a situation in which one party has more or better information than the other. For example, in transactions where the seller knows more than the buyer. This is a potentially harmful situation because the former can take advantage of the latter’s lack of knowledge (Hiller 1997).

Abbreviations

E&SC:

Erosion and sediment control

EHMP:

Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program

HWP:

Healthy Waterways Partnership

IWRM:

Integrated Water Resources Management

NRM:

Natural Resources Management

SEQ:

South East Queensland

STP:

Sewage Treatment Plant

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Acknowledgments

This project was co-funded between CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship, the Healthy Waterways Partnership, and the CMAR Integrated Marine and Coastal Assessment and Management. We would like to thank Eva Abal, Di Tarte, John Bennett, Mara Wolkenhauer, Andy Steven, and Campbell Davies for their support; and interviewees from across SEQ for their participation. We also thank Sharon Tickell, Toni Cannard, Ricardo Pascual, Peter Bayliss, Olivier Thébaud, and Chris Moeseneder for their valuable work on a parallel project that supported our research. Mac Exon-Taylor provided precious support with the use of LeximancerΤΜ, and Sol Rojas-Lizana (University of Queensland) offered valuable insights on text analysis. Peter Bayliss, Olivier Thébaud, and an anonymous referee reviewed the report in which this manuscript is based, and Ingrid van Putten provided valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for providing insightful criticism that improved the first draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research/Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4002, Australia

    Leo X. C. Dutra, Nick Ellis & Cathy M. Dichmont

  2. SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    Pascal Perez

  3. Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia

    William de la Mare

  4. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research/Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, 6014, Australia

    Fabio Boschetti

  5. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Fabio Boschetti

Authors
  1. Leo X. C. Dutra
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  2. Nick Ellis
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  3. Pascal Perez
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  4. Cathy M. Dichmont
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  5. William de la Mare
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  6. Fabio Boschetti
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Correspondence to Leo X. C. Dutra.

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Dutra, L.X.C., Ellis, N., Perez, P. et al. Drivers influencing adaptive management: a retrospective evaluation of water quality decisions in South East Queensland (Australia). AMBIO 43, 1069–1081 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0537-4

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