How interactive simulations can improve the support of environmental management: lessons from the Dutch peatlands

Abstract

How interactive simulation systems can improve the support of environmental management is not fully understood. We therefore cross-analyzed questionnaires with logfiles and videos of workshops in which an interactive simulation system for peatland management was applied, to derive an in-depth perspective of its added values. The workshop participants explored the physical system dynamics, implementing measures, and the social system dynamics, brokering deals with other stakeholders. The system enabled capacity building at individual and group level, through iterative exploration of possible measures. As a result, cooperation among the stakeholders was enhanced and their understanding of problems and action perspectives regarding the peatlands was increased. Interventions that stimulated deliberation during the workshops were shown to prevent individualistic strategies, and instead fostered cooperative attitudes. The embeddedness in preceding Science‒Policy Interfaces enhanced the credibility and legitimacy of the system, whereas salience was strengthened by abundant detailed information, realistic visual quality, and short calculation times.