The Water System Explorer: understanding interactions between the natural and anthropogenic water system on a regional scale

“In the Netherlands the natural water system has been altered significantly to address human needs. Historically, the main water issues were related to water excess. However, recent dry years (2018-2020, 2022) have made it clear that drought affects many sectors as well. To deal with both extremes, a transition of the water system is needed with integral solutions.
Exploring the effects of measures needed to improve the water system is challenging and needs to be done in an integrated way that considers the natural water system as well as the anthropogenic influence on that system. Often these effects are investigated using complex, spatially-distributed models that usually don’t include all interactions between water users and the water system, have long calculation times and require a certain computer capacity. To attain a first crude estimate of the effects, it is also possible to use a different approach like system dynamics models. System dynamics models provide less details and include less spatial variation, but can include more interactions between the different subsystems and have short calculation times.”

(Citation: van Huijgevoort, M., Stofberg, S., Raat, K., and Bartholomeus, R.: The Water System Explorer: understanding interactions between the natural and anthropogenic water system on a regional scale, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-5621, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5621, 2024)