Visualization-supported dialogues in the Baltic Sea Region

摘要

This study explores visualization-supporteddialogues with water management and ecosystemstakeholders from four catchments in Sweden, Latvia,Germany and Poland. An interactive visualization tool wasdesigned to present information regarding modelled effectsof chosen future pathways including different measuresthat address ecosystem issues under present and futurescenarios of land use and climate change, and estimatedbenefits and costs of the measures. This paper assesses ifand how visualization-supported dialogues hinder orsupport key components of good governance of waterand ecosystem management among expert stakeholders.We discuss challenges and opportunities related to the tooland dialogue design, and performance of dialogues. Resultsfrom a cross-case workshop indicate that the form andfunctionality of the tool contributes to participation,empowerment, accessibility and flexibility, whiledialogue design is instrumental for encouraging trust andinclusion of local knowledge and competence.