Socio-technical scales in socio-environmental modeling: Managing a system-of-systems modeling approach

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Systems Engineering
• Social Science

Background:

• System-of-systems (SoS) approaches are increasingly used for integrated socio-environmental assessments.
• These approaches integrate diverse models across disciplines to represent complex socio-environmental systems for policy support.
• A key feature of SoS is the representation of systems within a multi-tier framework with nested scales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail socio-technical practices and challenges in considering scale within socio-environmental modeling.
• To identify pathways for improving integrated assessments using SoS approaches.
• To advocate for a comprehensive vision and funding for holistic SoS research.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team of researchers from engineering, natural, and social sciences collaborated.
• The study involved detailing socio-technical practices and challenges related to scale in socio-environmental modeling.
• Key paths forward were identified through collaborative analysis.

Main Results:

• Disciplinary-specific modeling paradigms lead to inconsistencies in conceptualizing and integrating socio-environmental systems.
• Explicit consideration of scale and uncertainty is crucial for effective SoS modeling.
• Improved interdisciplinary communication and documentation are vital for progress.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for enhanced interdisciplinary communication and robust documentation in socio-environmental modeling.
• Addressing scale and uncertainty explicitly can improve the integration and effectiveness of SoS approaches.
• A call for a grand vision and funding is made for holistic SoS research involving stakeholders and policymakers.