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Data and models are daily fare for
researchers but most other people
find them tough going. Presenting the
research results in the DeltaDataViewer
makes selecting and understanding
scenarios a lot easier.
The problem
Farming has been expanding in the
Waituna catchment since the 1960s.
Today, more than two-thirds of the
land area is used by agriculture.
Lagoon health has declined over
recent years due to increases in
nutrient loading. Water quality may
worsen due to turbidity and algal
blooms if nothing is done. Making
changes in how the agricultural
land is being managed is part of the
solution.
The challenge
It’s di¨cult to gain insight in to the most
e£ective management solutions at the
catchment scale. Not only do discharges
from individual farms di£er, the types of
soil and surrounding land use activities
also a£ect the amount of nutrients that
will ultimately enter the lagoon.
The solution
The DeltaDataViewer. An interactive
serious game based on hydrological
and water-quality models that takes
the seasons into account. This serious
game allows stakeholders to work
together on a tablet, changing input
data with a click on the map to test
di£erent scenarios. For example by
treating run-o£ water with a biofilter
or by varying the amount of nutrients
that enters the water from a farm. The
overall e£ect on loading to the Lagoon
then becomes visible in a few seconds.
User findings
The DeltaDataViewer is a powerful
instrument for water managers and
farmers. The industry organisation
DairyNZ, which commissioned its
development, is supporting farmers
in finding a solution to improve water
quality to meet environmental targets
while still remaining profitable. This
tool is not only about the science but
also the way in which it’s presented,
together with stakeholders.
A SERIOUS GAME TO MANAGE
NUTRIENT LOSSES
18
DELTARES, FEBRUARY 2015
For more information:
erwin.meijers@deltares.nlFarmers and industry are working towards restoring
Waituna Lagoon in Southland New Zealand. They can
now turn to the DeltaDataViewer serious game to help
them achieve this.
BY MEINTE BLAAS
PHOTO: SAM RENTMEESTER