Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management
Abstract Water pollution presents a substantial environmental challenge with extensive implications for water resources, ecosystem sustainability, and human health. Using a South African catchment, this study aimed to provide watershed managers with a framework for selecting best management practice...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57739-y |
| _version_ | 1827301199969255424 |
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| author | Zesizwe Ngubane Viktor Bergion Bloodless Dzwairo Thor Axel Stenström Ekaterina Sokolova |
| author_facet | Zesizwe Ngubane Viktor Bergion Bloodless Dzwairo Thor Axel Stenström Ekaterina Sokolova |
| author_sort | Zesizwe Ngubane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Water pollution presents a substantial environmental challenge with extensive implications for water resources, ecosystem sustainability, and human health. Using a South African catchment, this study aimed to provide watershed managers with a framework for selecting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce pollution and the related risk to river users, while also including the perspectives of key catchment stakeholders. The framework encompassed the identification of and consultation with key stakeholders within the catchment. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology using the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique for Enhanced Stakeholder Take-up (SMARTEST) was used to identify and prioritise suitable BMPs in a case study. Decision alternatives and assessment criteria as well as their weights were derived based on stakeholder responses to a two-stage survey. Stakeholders included those utilising the river for domestic and recreational purposes, municipal representatives, scientists, NGOs, and engineers. The assessment of decision alternatives considered environmental, economic, and social criteria. The aggregated scores for decision alternatives highlighted the significance of involving stakeholders throughout the decision process. This study recommends the pairing of structural and non-structural BMPs. The findings provide valuable insights for catchment managers, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders seeking inclusive and effective pollution mitigation strategies in a catchment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:18:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a92061edc3544baf9af171f4e4f2cb46 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:18:56Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a92061edc3544baf9af171f4e4f2cb462024-03-31T11:19:44ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-57739-yMulti-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk managementZesizwe Ngubane0Viktor Bergion1Bloodless Dzwairo2Thor Axel Stenström3Ekaterina Sokolova4Department of Civil Engineering, Durban University of TechnologyDepartment of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of TechnologyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Durban University of TechnologyInstitute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of TechnologyDepartment of Earth Sciences, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Water pollution presents a substantial environmental challenge with extensive implications for water resources, ecosystem sustainability, and human health. Using a South African catchment, this study aimed to provide watershed managers with a framework for selecting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce pollution and the related risk to river users, while also including the perspectives of key catchment stakeholders. The framework encompassed the identification of and consultation with key stakeholders within the catchment. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology using the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique for Enhanced Stakeholder Take-up (SMARTEST) was used to identify and prioritise suitable BMPs in a case study. Decision alternatives and assessment criteria as well as their weights were derived based on stakeholder responses to a two-stage survey. Stakeholders included those utilising the river for domestic and recreational purposes, municipal representatives, scientists, NGOs, and engineers. The assessment of decision alternatives considered environmental, economic, and social criteria. The aggregated scores for decision alternatives highlighted the significance of involving stakeholders throughout the decision process. This study recommends the pairing of structural and non-structural BMPs. The findings provide valuable insights for catchment managers, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders seeking inclusive and effective pollution mitigation strategies in a catchment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57739-y |
| spellingShingle | Zesizwe Ngubane Viktor Bergion Bloodless Dzwairo Thor Axel Stenström Ekaterina Sokolova Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management Scientific Reports |
| title | Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| title_full | Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| title_fullStr | Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| title_short | Multi-criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| title_sort | multi criteria decision analysis framework for engaging stakeholders in river pollution risk management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57739-y |
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