A web-based decision support system for collaborative mitigation of multiple water-related hazards using serious...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Resource Management
• Computer Science

Background:

• Effective watershed management requires collaborative planning across multiple jurisdictions.
• Addressing water-related hazards like floods, soil erosion, and water quality necessitates informed decision-making.
• Existing decision support systems often lack accessible tools for public engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a web-based serious game for enhancing multi-jurisdictional collaborative planning and decision-making.
• To integrate a serious game into the Iowa Watershed Decision Support System (IoWaDSS).
• To improve public engagement, communication, and transparency in watershed hazard mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a web-based serious gaming application.
• Integration of the gaming application with the Iowa Watershed Decision Support System (IoWaDSS).
• Utilizing a user-friendly, adaptive web interface for non-technical users.

Main Results:

• The serious game facilitates collaborative planning for water-related hazards.
• The IoWaDSS, with the integrated game, serves as a data repository and simulation tool.
• The application enhances public engagement and transparency in decision-making processes.

Conclusions:

• Web-based serious games can effectively support collaborative watershed hazard mitigation.
• The developed application is generalizable and extendable to other watersheds.
• Enhanced public engagement leads to more transparent and attractive decision-making for stakeholders.