Skip to main content
Book
Modeling human-environmental systems
(2002)
  • J Morgan Grove
  • Charles M Schweik, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Tom Evans, Indiana University
  • Glen Green
Abstract

This chapter focuses on the integration and development of environmental models that include human decision making. While many methodological and technical issues are common to all types of environmental models, our goal is to highlight the unique characteristics that need to be considered when modeling human-environmental dynamics and to identify future directions for human-environmental modeling. To achieve this goal, we have separated this chapter into several sections. First, we propose and define a conceptual framework for describing human-environmental models based on three critical dimensions: time, space, and human decision making. Second, using our framework, we summarize and compare whether and how different models (urban or rural systems, health, epidemiology, pollution, or hydrology) include space, time, and human decision making. This provides both an assessment of the models examined and a test of the framework. Third, we discuss the theoretical implications for linking human-environmental dynamics within the context of these three dimensions. Finally, we consider lessons learned and future directions for developing human-environmental models.

Keywords
  • modeling,
  • environment,
  • social science
Publication Date
2002
Editor
Clarke, Keith; Parks, Bradley O.; Crane, Michael P., eds
Publisher
Prentice Hall
Citation Information
J Morgan Grove, Charles M Schweik, Tom Evans and Glen Green. Modeling human-environmental systems. Upper Saddle River, NJ(2002)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/charles_schweik/12/