Model sustainability in DSS design and scenario formulation - What are theright scenarios?

A concept of the integrated approach in designing multidisciplinary decisio n support systems (DSS) based on agricultural scenarios for sustainable cat chment management is discussed. A principle of holism underlying the integr ated approach to DSS design is formulated. For a model to be viable and sus tainable, it should be based on scenarios that are plausible and highly typ ical from the point of view of those 'doing' agriculture. Problems concerni ng principles of scenario formulation within the integrated approach are co nsidered. A notion of 'prototype' scenarios based on 'joint venture' of mod ellers and stakeholders is proposed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.