Fuzzy Cognitive Maps for Sustainable Irrigation

This work applies system science principles through the use of stakeholder-based Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM). It allows for a holistic understanding of how social, economic, and environmental variables interact, enabling the exploration of dynamic feedbacks and potential unintended consequences. In this context, FCM served as a valuable tool to simulate alternative policy and behavioural scenarios, identify leverage points, and support more informed decision-making for sustainable water reuse in agriculture.

Feedback on teaching experience

The paper has been used to teach ‘Agrarian Bioeconomy’, a second-year subject of the bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and Bioeconomy at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Specifically, it was included in Topic 2: Analysis of Bioeconomic Systems, where was introduced the concept of systems and the analysis of systemic relationships. The Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) application presented in the article was used as a practical example. Students were asked to read and critically comment on the paper.