Multi-agent system simulation and centralized optimal model for groundwater management considering evaluating the economic and environmental effects of varied policy instruments implemented
January 1, 2024 - Kamali, Asghar; Niksokhan, Mohammad Hossein; Ardestani, Mojtaba
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EmailJournal or Book Title: JOURNAL OF HYDROINFORMATICS
Abstract: Groundwater stands as an essential common pool resource (CPR) in the world. Modeling interconnectedness of people (social) and nature (ecological) can offer valuable understanding about the dynamics in the midst of social and environmental processes. Within this paper, a novel framework based on multi-agent system simulation (MASS) is introduced that use python-based codes coupling NETLOGO agent-based model platform with a calibrated MODFLOW groundwater model that uses the SWAT watershed model by considering the uncertainty associated with farmers' productivity. Then, the various policy instruments implemented in the MASS (free access and consistent tax and quota on groundwater utilization) are compared with the centralized optimal model (COM). In the COM, streamflow constraints are imposed by a central planner with impeccable foresight that use MATLAB-based codes coupling the MATLAB with a calibrated groundwater model of MODFLOW that uses the SWAT watershed model. The environmental and economic impacts are measured using two main indicators: the violation of streamflow (VSF) and the average annual benefit (AAB). The results indicate that MASS with free access yields the highest AAB for agents and has a significant impact on streamflow while COM yields around 120.3 trillion Rials AAB for agents and has no impact on streamflow. HIGHLIGHTS Improving agricultural water management requires modeling interconnected social-ecological systems. A comprehensive physical model is essential for thoroughly examining the effectiveness of policy instruments. Policy instrument effectiveness is notably influenced by variations in agent heterogeneity.
Type of Publication: Article
