Archetype Analysis in Commons Research

The Pumpa Irrigation System draws water from the Pumpa river to serve approximately 120 households.  It is a "north-south" system and is in an area with relatively steep terrain.  This case was analyzed using a stylized dynamic model to assess its capacity to cope with new challenges from global change.  The model suggested that the adaptive water allocation rules used by the community (sequential, 12 and 24 hour rotations) could significanty enhance the robustness of the system to increased water scarcity and shocks to infrastructure.

The rice paddies and irrigation system of this case are near Tihingan village, in the Klungkung district of Bali, Indonesia ‐ 45 km northeast of Denpasar. The original case spans from 1957 to 1959, and it catalogues an action situation involving 455 rice farmers who are members of an organization that regulates irrigation and planting cycles (a subak).

Located in the Nowk valley in Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India, Kottapalle has an area of 4,600 acres. The village is in the tail-end of a 20-mile irrigation canal. The original research was conducted from 1980 to 1982. The state Irrigation Department is responsible for regulating water allocation between each outlet between each village from the canal. The local council is responsible for distribution of water to fields in the village.