Spatiotemporal processes and their implementation in Spatial System Dynamics models

Authored by Christian Neuwirth, Barbara Hofer, Angela Peck

Date Published: 2015

DOI: 10.1080/14498596.2015.997316

Sponsors: Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Platforms: Python

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Computer-based modelling is indispensable to science. Be it in the field of social or environmental science, modelling is used to learn, to gain new insights into behaviours and to raise awareness. In addition to Cellular Automaton and Agent-Based Modelling, System Dynamics (SD) has evolved as an approach which opened up the field of mathematical modelling to non-mathematicians by establishing a simple Visual Modelling Language. Even though there have been recent developments in expanding SD to include space, Spatial System Dynamics (SSD) hasn't received much attention in geosciences. The typology of SSD introduced in this paper is intended to spur discussions on future possible uses. Models are categorised into three process groups: local processes, diffusion processes and processes that modify space itself. For the latter category spatial analysis may be incorporated into SSD applications. This has been illustrated by means of a model on the co-evolution of surface runoff and landform change.
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