Key indicators and variables in citizen science for the water-food-energy Nexus analysis in Tulcea case study

Abstract

This study presents the first results from the activities carried out within the BELMONT project - Creating Interfaces (Building capacity for integrated governance at the Food-WaterEnergy-nexus in cities on the water), more precisely from the implementation of data collection activities, by collecting a large number of questionnaires and applying the participatory working method, from the Urban Laboratory (Urban Living Lab). The project aims to identify and promote innovative solutions for multifunctional practices of urban resilience to hydroclimatic stress, by developing conceptual models, at the level of participatory decision support, at local level, by innovative approaches in creating knowledge, and by coordinating the knowledge governance. A very important component of the project is the involvement of local decision makers. The case study area, presented in this study, is the region of Tulcea municipality, and includes an artificial lake, called Lake Zaghen, within the project area. For the implementation of the present study, two perspectives were approached: the environment and the interdependencies of the “Food-Water-Energy” (Nexus) system. The first perspective refers to the study of water use, in the natural environment, gardening and agriculture, in the area of Lake Zaghen. The second perspective includes the study on irrigation, the cost of energy supply for irrigation systems and wastewater. Within the project, the concept of Citizen Science was applied, based on correlations between variables (e.g., stakeholder involvement; collected data; citizen involvement; pressures; management plan) and key performance indicators (e.g., the ratio between the interviewed stakeholders and the stakeholders participating in the ULL/Urban Living Lab; quality of provided data; size and complexity of data; conversion of raw data into meaningful scientific knowledge; learning opportunities; interpretation of the "Food-Water-Energy" Nexus; visions; strategies). Regarding the involvement of stakeholders, after interviews, which were held by DDNI, between March and June 2019, most citizens responded that the proximity of Lake Zaghen would be a benefit for the agriculture in the area, and the farmers stated that they are facing problems regarding the energy and presented solutions they implemented. The collected data, within the Urban Laboratory, as well as through interviews and questionnaires, were the basis of the detailed situation analysis, based on Tulcea case study. It can be observed the fact that the “Food-Water-Energy” system represents a dynamic system, with significant variations over time

Keywords

• urban living lab
• belmont
• food-water-energy nexus