The complex relationship that exists between water resources and agricultural production has been increasing constantly globally. Several factors are interacting to influence the management of water resources making the system complex and dynamic. To increase the understanding of these complex and dynamic systems, relevant tools are needed to identify the causal relationships that exist between the drivers and their influences on the system. Participatory modelling based on the system dynamics approach provides a simplistic and visualisation tool that can improve the understanding of the functioning of a complex and dynamic system. A multi-stage participatory approach was used in this study involving relevant stakeholders in the development of an integrated conceptual system dynamic model using causal loop diagrams. This approach was used because it captures the thought process and mental model of relevant stakeholders in the development of the model, making it a valuable tool for policy and decision making at government and individual levels. The integrated model built in this study used causal loop diagrams to address problems of water management and agricultural sustainability in the Breede River Catchment. The model shows major causal-relationships and feedback loops that determine the functioning of the overall system. The model demonstrates the usefulness of the participatory approach in solving problems related to water management and agricultural development in the catchment.

中文翻译：

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开发可持续水资源管理和农业发展的概念模型：以南非布里德河集水区为例

水资源与农业生产之间存在的复杂关系在全球范围内不断增加。有几个因素相互作用来影响水资源的管理，使系统变得复杂和动态。为了加深对这些复杂动态系统的理解，需要相关工具来确定驱动因素及其对系统的影响之间存在的因果关系。基于系统动力学方法的参与式建模提供了一种简单的可视化工具，可以提高对复杂动态系统功能的理解。本研究使用了多阶段参与式方法，让相关利益相关者参与使用因果循环图开发综合概念系统动态模型。之所以使用这种方法，是因为它在模型开发过程中捕捉了相关利益相关者的思维过程和心理模型，使其成为政府和个人层面制定政策和决策的宝贵工具。本研究中建立的综合模型使用因果循环图来解决布里德河集水区的水资源管理和农业可持续性问题。该模型显示了决定整个系统功能的主要因果关系和反馈回路。该模型展示了参与式方法在解决流域水资源管理和农业发展相关问题方面的有用性。使其成为政府和个人层面制定政策和决策的宝贵工具。本研究中建立的综合模型使用因果循环图来解决布里德河集水区的水资源管理和农业可持续性问题。该模型显示了决定整个系统功能的主要因果关系和反馈回路。该模型展示了参与式方法在解决流域水资源管理和农业发展相关问题方面的有用性。使其成为政府和个人层面制定政策和决策的宝贵工具。本研究中建立的综合模型使用因果循环图来解决布里德河集水区的水资源管理和农业可持续性问题。该模型显示了决定整个系统功能的主要因果关系和反馈回路。该模型展示了参与式方法在解决流域水资源管理和农业发展相关问题方面的有用性。