Data from: Improving governance outcomes for water quality: insights from participatory social network analysis for chalk stream catchments in England

Globally important chalk streams in England are in poor ecological health, in part due to inadequate water quality. Addressing this issue requires an understanding of the governance systems that surround water quality. The complexity and uncertainty inherent in hydrological systems has led to the emergence of integrated and adaptive forms of governance. In these multi-actor governance systems, the structure of the relationships between actors (the social network) has been shown to affect governance processes and outcomes. Using participatory social network analysis, we mapped and analysed the social networks for the River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire, UK, to identify actors and their roles, determine the network characteristics, and identify interventions to improve governance. Although the results suggest a well connected network of actors from the state, private sector and civil society, we find that decision making is not decentralised. Bureaucratic governance by central state actors dominates. However, trust in these central state actors and private actors in the networks is low, which undermines collaboration and co-ordination in the network. Devolving authority to local actors, building trust in the networks, and improving connections to important actors could help to improve governance outcomes for water quality.英格兰境内具有全球重要性的白垩溪（chalk streams）生态健康状况堪忧，部分原因在于水质不达标。要解决这一问题，需先明晰围绕水质治理的各类治理体系。水文系统本身固有的复杂性与不确定性，催生了一体化、适应性的治理模式。在这类多行动者治理体系中，行动者之间的关系结构（即社会网络）已被证实会对治理流程与治理结果产生影响。本研究采用参与式社会网络分析方法，对英国汉普郡的特斯特河（River Test）与伊钦河（River Itchen）的社会网络进行绘制与分析，以识别行动者及其角色、明确网络特征，并提出可优化治理的干预措施。尽管研究结果显示，来自政府部门、私营部门与公民社会的行动者已形成联结紧密的网络，但我们发现决策并未实现分权化，中央政府行动者主导的科层式治理仍占主导地位。然而，网络内行动者对中央政府部门与私营部门行动者的信任度较低，这削弱了网络内部的协作与协调能力。将权力下放至地方行动者、提升网络内信任水平、强化与关键行动者的联结，均有助于优化水质治理的成效。