New OPTAIN Report: Stakeholder Perspectives on NSWRM Implementation

The new OPTAIN report “Results of stakeholder surveys on preferred NSWRM implementation plans” highlights how farmers, water managers, and conservation authorities prioritize water retention and land management objectives.

In 11 OPTAIN case studies, researchers used the interactive ParetoPick-R tool to guide stakeholders through different combinations of Natural/Small Water Retention Measures (NSWRM). Stakeholders were invited to express their preferences in both the objective space (water and nutrient retention, crop production, costs) and the decision space (specific measures), in order to identify solutions best aligned with their priorities.

The results reveal both shared preferences and diverse priorities:

• Farmers emphasized crop production and cost-efficiency.
• Conservation and water experts focused on environmental benefits.
• Soil and crop management measures were the most widely preferred, followed by greening measures and engineered solutions.
• Key challenges included technical limitations, land ownership issues, and permitting requirements.

Stakeholders found the ParetoPick-R app valuable for visualizing trade-offs, while also pointing to the need for improved usability and clearer guidance. These insights inform the final stakeholder workshops, where a range of potential solutions are being discussed.

Overall, the report underscores the importance of participatory modelling and cross-sector collaboration in shaping effective water and land management strategies.

Link to the paper: Results of stakeholder surveys on preferred NSWRM implementation plans. Deliverable D5.3 of the EU Horizon 2020 project OPTAIN

Authors: Michael Strauch and Cordula Wittekind