Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology

Eric Desjardins; Marco Van De Wiel; Yannick Rousseau

doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015

Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology

Eric Desjardins, Marco Van De Wiel, Yannick Rousseau

Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

42 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper brings a philosophical perspective on computer simulations in the field of geomorphology. The first part of our analysis presents a general framework within which to interpret and evaluate the adequacy of simulations models pursuing three broad epistemic goals (modes): prediction, explanation, and exploration. It also explains the diverse relationships existing between the phenomenon of equifinality and each one of these modes. The second part of the paper applies this framework to a case in fluvial geomorphology. This application enables further specification of the three modelling modes and shows how they can work together in the inquiry of natural phenomena. Finally, our analysis looks briefly at the path-dependent nature of model building, which highlights the importance of historical contingencies in model development and further support the pragmatic stance endorsed in the framework.

Original language	English
Article number	102654
Journal	Earth-Science Reviews
Volume	209
Early online date	27 Jun 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015
Publication status	Published - Oct 2020

Bibliographical note

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Earth-Science Reviews. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Earth-Science Reviews, IN PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015

© 2017, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Keywords

simulation modeling
adequacy
evaluation
prediction
explanation
exploration
fluvial geomorphology
Telemac
path dependence
Evaluation
Explanation
Prediction
Exploration
Adequacy
Simulation modelling
Fluvial geomorphology
Path dependence
TELEMAC

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015

Post-PrintAccepted author manuscript, 1.47 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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Marco Van De Wiel
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience - Reader in Fluvial Processes
Person: Teaching and Research

Cite this

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title = "Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology",

abstract = "This paper brings a philosophical perspective on computer simulations in the field of geomorphology. The first part of our analysis presents a general framework within which to interpret and evaluate the adequacy of simulations models pursuing three broad epistemic goals (modes): prediction, explanation, and exploration. It also explains the diverse relationships existing between the phenomenon of equifinality and each one of these modes. The second part of the paper applies this framework to a case in fluvial geomorphology. This application enables further specification of the three modelling modes and shows how they can work together in the inquiry of natural phenomena. Finally, our analysis looks briefly at the path-dependent nature of model building, which highlights the importance of historical contingencies in model development and further support the pragmatic stance endorsed in the framework.",

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note = "NOTICE: this is the author{\textquoteright}s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Earth-Science Reviews. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Earth-Science Reviews, IN PRESS DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015 {\textcopyright} 2017, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ",

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N2 - This paper brings a philosophical perspective on computer simulations in the field of geomorphology. The first part of our analysis presents a general framework within which to interpret and evaluate the adequacy of simulations models pursuing three broad epistemic goals (modes): prediction, explanation, and exploration. It also explains the diverse relationships existing between the phenomenon of equifinality and each one of these modes. The second part of the paper applies this framework to a case in fluvial geomorphology. This application enables further specification of the three modelling modes and shows how they can work together in the inquiry of natural phenomena. Finally, our analysis looks briefly at the path-dependent nature of model building, which highlights the importance of historical contingencies in model development and further support the pragmatic stance endorsed in the framework.

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