Socio-hydrological spaces in the Jamuna River floodplain in Bangladesh

摘要: Abstract. Socio-hydrology aims to understand the dynamics and co-evolution of coupled human–water systems, with research consisting of generic models as well as specific case studies. In this paper, we propose a concept help bridge gap between these two types socio-hydrological studies: socio-hydrological spaces (SHSs). A space is geographical area in landscape. Its particular combination hydrological social features gives rise emergence distinct interactions dynamics (patterns) society water. Socio-hydrological on human–flood has found responses, “fight” or “adapt”. Distilling patterns resulting from responses case studies provides promising way relate contextual specificities the generic described by conceptual models. Through use SHSs, different cases can be compared globally without aspiring capturing them in formal model. We illustrate SHS for Jamuna floodplain, Bangladesh. narratives experiences local experts and inhabitants empirically describe delimit SHS. corroborated the resulting classification through statistical analysis primary data collected purpose (household surveys focus group discussions) and secondary data (statistics, maps etc.). Our example SHSs shows that draws attention how historical the co-evolution social behaviour, natural processes technological interventions give different landscapes, styles living and ways organising livelihoods. This texture the more generated models, to make more directly useful decision makers. We propose that usefulness other floodplains, for other systems than should explored.