Institutional nesting and robustness of self-governance: the adaptation of irrigation systems in Taiwan

Rapid social-economic development has posed serious challenges to irrigation management in Taiwan.  Drawing upon data collected through in-depth interviews with farmers and local irrigation officials and an appraisal survey, this study compares the processes of adaptation that have taken place in irrigation systems in four distinct ecological-institutional settings in the Chianan area of Taiwan.  We have found that different modes of institutional nesting have affected farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies and the way self-governance has played out in the adaptation process, and that different adaptation strategies have brought about different impacts on system robustness and the sustainability of self-governance.