Acteurs et temporalités dans les processus de modélisation participative de l'interaction entre systèmes agropastoraux et territoires : Analyse comparée de sept études de cas

Abstract

This article lies within the framework of a transverse research project which groups 7 case studies relating to the analysis of the dynamics of change in extensive livestock activities and their impacts on resources and landscapes at a territory scale. Carried out in contrasted situations, they relied on the participative construction of Agent-Based Models. The object of this article is to analyze, from a comparative point of view, the participation of actors, including researchers, in these participative research projects.To analyze the nature and terms of the partnership we distinguished four categories of partners and broke up the research process into six phases. The involvement of the partners is described starting from the formulation of the question at the origin of the project up to the phase of exploration of scenarios. Although all the projects adopt a companion modelling approach, the implication of the various categories of partners differs according to the projects. It seems related to the objectives of modelling and in particular to the predominance of knowledge generation or action. At least three types of participation can thus be distinguished: passive, consultative or interactive. The researchers themselves often have a central position in the process which leads them to take on the responsibility project animation.