Open AccessIWRM and the Nexus Approach: Versatile Concepts for Water Resources Education
Author(s) -
Grigg Neil S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of contemporary water research and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1936-704X
pISSN - 1936-7031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2019.03299.x
Subject(s) - nexus (standard) , integrated water resources management , interdependence , context (archaeology) , process (computing) , water resources , discipline , management science , criticism , computer science , process management , knowledge management , political science , sociology , business , engineering , ecology , social science , geography , archaeology , law , biology , embedded system , operating system
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the nexus approach are tools to identify solutions for water problems across interdependent sectors with interacting social and natural systems. Although both tools aim at solutions for complex water issues using an interdisciplinary approach, IWRM is a management process and the nexus approach is a systems tool to characterize problems. By clarifying their attributes and providing examples, instructors can use them to explain broad social problems and offer practical frameworks for problem‐solving. Given their breadth, IWRM and the nexus approach can seem vague and attract criticism, but if they are replaced, the need for them will endure. The concepts are explained, and similarities between them are explored in the paper. Case study sources for them are identified, and the cases are classified by the processes of water resources management as applied across related sectors. How the concepts and their corresponding case studies can be used will vary by context. Suggestions are made for interdisciplinary instruction and discussions in disciplinary settings.