Introduction: Context and Knowledge Gaps

The chapter provides the book’s and the decision support system (DSS) contexts in the Global South and Indonesia’s economic and political settings. It also elucidates the general context of lake management on a global and national scale, while also highlighting the use of the ecosystem services framework in shaping the decision support systems. The discussions are pointed to the question that should be answered to substantially improve lake management in Indonesia and in the Global South, which includes the principal actors, actions to take, and how to implement them. Further, it underlines the knowledge gaps and novelties of the book. It ends with a brief guideline on how to use the book for the readers. Overall, it contemplates the roles of the book and the DSS in Lake Singkarak management to offer solutions to water challenges.