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Using the DPSIR Framework to Develop a Conceptual Model: Technical Support Document
Citation:
Bradley, P. AND S. Yee. Using the DPSIR Framework to Develop a Conceptual Model: Technical Support Document. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-15/154, 2015.
Impact/Purpose:
This report provides a technical support manual into the hands of decision makers so they can apply the DPSIR conceptual model in support of complex environmental decision-making. The approach described in this manual reflects procedures developed by EPA ORD during 8 years of ecological and sustainability research, including decision-support workshops conducted in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. ESRP-Coral Reefs adopted the DPSIR framework as a systems approach to link ecological and socioeconomic factors into a comprehensive research program. Five expert Focus Groups evaluated the framework, informed the framework with state-of-knowledge ecological, socio-economic and decision information, developed research questions, identified research activities necessary to address the questions, and integrated activities across disciplines. In SHC, DPSIR was further developed as a basis for integrating social, cultural, and economic aspects of environmental and human health into a single framework. EPA developed a rigorous system of definitions that distinguishes social, economic and environmental factors to reduce confusion regarding the meaning of categories and provide a generic process that could be applied broadly across different systems, topics, or decision contexts. The technical support manual provides background information on DPSIR, two case studies (one ecological and the other eco-health), Appendices with guidance on tools that can be used in developing DPSIRs, a glossary and references.
Description:
Modern problems (e.g., pollution, urban sprawl, environmental equity) are complex and often transcend spatial and temporal scales. Systems thinking is an approach to problem solving that is based on the belief that the component parts of a system are best understood in the context of their relationships and interactions with one another and with other systems. EPA scientists have developed a technical support manual for using a systems thinking framework (DPSIR) to help capture, organize and visualize the environmental, social, and economic outcomes of human decisions. DPSIR has most commonly been used in the context of environmental management to link social and economic factors that drive human activity and the effect of those activities on the environment and future provisioning of ecosystem goods and services. Many environmental issues include aspects of Human Health and well-being, and the EPA has expanded DPSIR to more explicitly include Human Health. The overall objective is to deliver a technical support manual into the hands of decision makers so they can apply the DPSIR conceptual model in support of complex environmental decision-making.