Selecting a Modeling Approach for Solving a Socio-Environmental Problem

Solving complex socio-environmental problems requires the ability to understand and explore how natural and human forces interact together as a socio-environmental (S-E) system. While scientific modeling provides a systematic approach to organizing data, knowledge, and assumptions about a problem or a system, integrated modeling can be a powerful tool for exploring S-E system since it combines knowledge from multiple domains into one modeling framework.


However, with numerous integrated modeling approaches to choose from, it can be daunting to find the best one to suit your needs. Choosing from different approaches—including systems dynamics, Bayesian networks, and agent-based models—can be difficult because each one comes with its own modeling features and technical requirements that make it more suitable for some problems and less so for others. In this tutorial, Dr. Serena Hamilton, of the Australian National University, outlines a model-selection approach that considers the user, management process, and project context, as well as other important selection criteria, to help viewers select the most appropriate modeling approach for their particular problem.


Drs. Tony Jakeman (Australian National University) and Sondoss Elsawah (University of New South Wales Canberra) also contributed to this tutorial.