An Integrated Assessment approach to linking biophysical modelling and economic valuation tools

Natural resource management (NRM) typically involves complex decision problems that affect a wide variety of stakeholder values. More efficient NRM that seeks enhanced environmental, social and financial net benefits necessitates assessments of the environmental impacts, and costs and benefits of management investments in an integrated manner. Integrated assessment (IA) provides an approach to incorporate the several dimensions of catchment NRM by considering multiple issues and knowledge from various disciplines and stakeholders. However, despite the need for IA, there are few integrated studies that combine biophysical modelling tools with economic valuation techniques. In this paper, we demonstrate how economic non-market valuation tools can be used to support an IA of catchment NRM options. We develop a Bayesian Network model that integrates a process-based water quality model, ecological assessments of native riparian vegetation, estimates of management costs and nonmarket (intangible) values of changes in riparian vegetation. The modelling approach illustrates how information from different sources can be integrated in one framework to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of NRM actions, as well as the uncertainties associated with the estimated welfare effects. The estimation of marginal social costs and benefits enables a Cost-Benefit Analysis of alternative management interventions, providing more economic rationality to NRM decisions.