Work Package 3: System Design is responsible for the development of the contents of the Design Volume for the SAF Protocol, which includes instructions and procedures for the volume sections and their subtasks, including supplementary information, e.g. selection criteria, default options, estimation of effort, deliberation tools, etc. Furthermore, this work package in collaboration with other node 2 WPs is preparing the final output from the node, in the form of a 'short guide to the Systems Approach Framework' as part of the on-line SAF Handbook.
Work Package 4: System Formulation activities provide the guidelines and material necessary to formulate environmental, and socio-economic processes (Formulation Step) within the frame of System Approach. It relies upon the explanation of the principles of system dynamics: causal relations, definition of processes, state variables and feedback loops. The Formulation Step involves the preparation of the information needed to set up the Simulation Model and accompanying Interpretive Analyses. In creating these guidelines for the first application, we assume the general case in which each SSA consists of group of multidisciplinary researchers of varying experience in quantitative assessments.
Work Package 5: System Appraisal authors the Coastal Zone System Appraisal Step for the Systems Approach Framework protocol (SAF) through an iterative process. The purpose of this WP is to explain how to carry out the simulation and validation of a system model including ecological, economical and sociological components, and how to interpret the results of the model concerning the Coastal Zone response to selected Policy Issues. After a process of collection of feedback from the Study Sites a complete and advanced version of this step will be completed for the project finalization.
Work Package 6: System Output is responsible for the concluding task of developing the content of the Output Chapter for the SAF Protocol. A major importance in WP6 is the translation from scientific language of the other WP’s (3, 4, and 5) into “lay” language. This implies the explanation of the findings in an understandable way for non-scientist or non-modeller clientele and with regard to the initial policy issue and the alternative policy options. It is crucial that WP6 recapitulates the SAF process for transparency for holding the science-policy consultations. This will include explanations about uncertainties (general and about individual scenarios and their assumptions), about long term benefits, trade offs, data gaps, as well as to translate variables into indicators that are demanded or thought useful for the end-users and stakeholders.
Coordination of Node 2 by Gillian Glegg (UoP, UK) (Partner 16); and Thomas S. Hopkins (CNR/IAMC, Italy) (Partner 3)
