Modeling social-ecological systems: Exploring disciplinary boundaries, model selection, and how to strengthen interdisciplinary efforts

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This is an opportunity to learn how different disciplines approach modeling social-ecological systems (SES) and take part in developing a set of guidelines for collaborative SES modeling. We welcome anyone that models social-ecological systems or is interested in doing so in the future. We will discuss the types of SES modeling in which people are engaging and the respective challenges of these different approaches. After identifying common ground between how social scientists and natural scientists have approached modeling SESs, we will review several common approaches (e.g. agent-based modeling, system dynamics modeling/differential equations, and econometrics), and discuss when these approaches are used over others. From there, we will develop guidelines about which models to use when and outline principles on engaging in collaborative, inter/transdisciplinary SES modeling, where models are created by including expert knowledge from scientists of different disciplinary backgrounds. We ask participants to come to the workshop having considered past modeling experiences (if any) and guidelines you think would help future SES modelers. 

Working Group Reports

Final reports: 

Report and participant list in single document