Our research group is developing an agent-based simulation tool to understand how human and natural systems interact in response to agricultural best management practices (BMPs). This research will seek to identify and assess the factors influencing farmer’s responses to proposed BMPs, develop simulation tools to link agent-based models of farmer decision making to a hydrological model of nutrient loading, and model scenarios to explore the resilience of watershed systems to changes in BMPs policy.
The master’s students who participate in this project will undertake research in two general fields of research:

1) One master’s student will lead survey research to identify the factors that influence farmer household decision-making and their responses to proposed BMPs in two Canadian watersheds located in Ontario and the prairies.

2) One master’s student will lead the development of an agent-based simulation of farmer household decision making and develop links to a hydrological model to estimate nutrient loading in a Canadian agricultural watershed under different BMPs.

Applicants should have a bachelors degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sociology, Geography, Computer Science, Agricultural Science), experience or knowledge of agricultural practices in Canada, a background in geographic information systems or simulation development, and excellent communication skills. The Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo is currently offering a generous funding package for exceptional domestic masters students entering the graduate program in 2018. This funding, totaling CAD$ 27,500, is composed of teaching assistantships and other awards. For more information on this research program and the available funding, please contact one of the members of this research team:

Peter Deadman
pjdeadma@uwaterloo.ca

Derek Robinson
dtrobins@uwaterloo.ca

Johanna Wandel
jwandel@uwaterloo.ca

Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1
https://uwaterloo.ca/global-water-futures/projects-0/agricultural-water-futures-canada-stressors-and-solutions