Water management learning software

The goal of the project is to develop learning software for teaching in the area of water management. In the form of a game, in this software decisions regarding water allocation in agriculture will be made, and their ecological and financial consequences computed via simulation programs and rated by the players. An irrigation zone in China is used as a concrete example.

A simulation program for water management in this area already exists. The project will involve the programming in Java of a user-friendly interactive graphic interface which links the simulation program to the pre- and postprocessing of the simulation data.

Students may select among resources and influencing factors (e.g. soil type, crops planted, irrigation technology, the alternatives flowing water/groundwater, residual water amount, etc.) as input parameters. The quality of the selected management is described in terms of parameters such as unproductive evaporation, residual runoff, salinity, costs etc. Computation and visualising in ‘Simsalin’ provides immediate feedback regarding the quality of the selected strategy. The best possible solution can be developed by creating and comparing alternatives.

This process will generate a holistic understanding of a complex environmental system. In addition to fostering networked thinking, sustainability – a central theme in water resource management – will be clearly presented. A responsible approach to increasingly scarce resources is also a very important learning objective for later career practice.