Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies

S. El-Sawah; D. Haase; H. van Delden; S. Pierce; A. Elmahdi; A. Voinov; A.J. Jakeman

Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies

S. El-Sawah, D. Haase, H. van Delden, S. Pierce, A. Elmahdi, A. Voinov, A.J. Jakeman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

System dynamics modelling includes a set of conceptual and numerical methods that are used to understand the structure and behaviour of complex systems, such as socio-ecological systems. A system dynamics model represents the causal relationships, feedback loops, and delays that are thought to generate the system behaviour. System dynamics is widely used for developing environmental models and decision support systems. However, little attention has been given to reflecting on modelling exercises in terms of the utility of system dynamics, its strengths and limitations, experienced during modelling and implementation challenges. These practical lessons are useful for guiding modellers on deciding when and how to use system dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on these issues drawing on experience from six case studies. Case studies demonstrate a wide range of applications (e.g. land use, groundwater management, urban water systems), tools, modelling approaches (e.g. coupled, integrated), and computational software.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet
Subtitle of host publication	Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany
Editors	R. Seppelt, A.A. Voinov, S. Lange, D. Bankamp
Place of Publication	Leipzig
Publisher	International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs)
Pages	1367-1374
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Print)	978-88-9035-742-8
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2012
Event	6th International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software 2012: Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty - Leipzig, Germany Duration: 1 Jul 2012 → 5 Jul 2012 Conference number: 6

Conference

Conference	6th International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software 2012
Country/Territory	Germany
City	Leipzig
Period	1/07/12 → 5/07/12

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/iemssconference/2012/Stream-B/380/

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El-Sawah, S., Haase, D., van Delden, H., Pierce, S., Elmahdi, A., Voinov, A., & Jakeman, A. J. (2012). Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies. In R. Seppelt, A. A. Voinov, S. Lange, & D. Bankamp (Eds.), 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany (pp. 1367-1374). International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs). https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/iemssconference/2012/Stream-B/380/

El-Sawah, S. ; Haase, D. ; van Delden, H. et al. / Using system dynamics for environmental modelling : Lessons learnt from six case studies. 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany. editor / R. Seppelt ; A.A. Voinov ; S. Lange ; D. Bankamp. Leipzig : International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs), 2012. pp. 1367-1374

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abstract = "System dynamics modelling includes a set of conceptual and numerical methods that are used to understand the structure and behaviour of complex systems, such as socio-ecological systems. A system dynamics model represents the causal relationships, feedback loops, and delays that are thought to generate the system behaviour. System dynamics is widely used for developing environmental models and decision support systems. However, little attention has been given to reflecting on modelling exercises in terms of the utility of system dynamics, its strengths and limitations, experienced during modelling and implementation challenges. These practical lessons are useful for guiding modellers on deciding when and how to use system dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on these issues drawing on experience from six case studies. Case studies demonstrate a wide range of applications (e.g. land use, groundwater management, urban water systems), tools, modelling approaches (e.g. coupled, integrated), and computational software.",

author = "S. El-Sawah and D. Haase and {van Delden}, H. and S. Pierce and A. Elmahdi and A. Voinov and A.J. Jakeman",

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El-Sawah, S, Haase, D, van Delden, H, Pierce, S, Elmahdi, A, Voinov, A & Jakeman, AJ 2012, Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies. in R Seppelt, AA Voinov, S Lange & D Bankamp (eds), 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany. International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs), Leipzig, pp. 1367-1374, 6th International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software 2012, Leipzig, Germany, 1/07/12. <https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/iemssconference/2012/Stream-B/380/>

Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies. / El-Sawah, S.; Haase, D.; van Delden, H. et al.
2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany. ed. / R. Seppelt; A.A. Voinov; S. Lange; D. Bankamp. Leipzig: International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs), 2012. p. 1367-1374.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

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AB - System dynamics modelling includes a set of conceptual and numerical methods that are used to understand the structure and behaviour of complex systems, such as socio-ecological systems. A system dynamics model represents the causal relationships, feedback loops, and delays that are thought to generate the system behaviour. System dynamics is widely used for developing environmental models and decision support systems. However, little attention has been given to reflecting on modelling exercises in terms of the utility of system dynamics, its strengths and limitations, experienced during modelling and implementation challenges. These practical lessons are useful for guiding modellers on deciding when and how to use system dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on these issues drawing on experience from six case studies. Case studies demonstrate a wide range of applications (e.g. land use, groundwater management, urban water systems), tools, modelling approaches (e.g. coupled, integrated), and computational software.

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BT - 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet

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El-Sawah S, Haase D, van Delden H, Pierce S, Elmahdi A, Voinov A et al. Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies. In Seppelt R, Voinov AA, Lange S, Bankamp D, editors, 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, 1-5 July 2012, Leipzig, Germany. Leipzig: International Environmental Modelling and Software Society (iEMSs). 2012. p. 1367-1374

Using system dynamics for environmental modelling: Lessons learnt from six case studies

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