Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology

Eric Desjardins, Marco Van De Wiel, Yannick Rousseau

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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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 modeling 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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)(In-Press)
JournalEarth-Science Reviews
Volume(In-Press)
Early online date27 Jun 2018
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 27 Jun 2018

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fluvial geomorphology
computer simulation
geomorphology
prediction
modeling
simulation
analysis
development model

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

Cite this

Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology. / Desjardins, Eric; Van De Wiel, Marco; Rousseau, Yannick.

In: Earth-Science Reviews, Vol. (In-Press), 27.06.2018, p. (In-Press).

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Desjardins, E, Van De Wiel, M & Rousseau, Y 2018, 'Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology' Earth-Science Reviews, vol. (In-Press), pp. (In-Press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015
Desjardins E, Van De Wiel M, Rousseau Y. Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology. Earth-Science Reviews. 2018 Jun 27;(In-Press):(In-Press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.015
Desjardins, Eric ; Van De Wiel, Marco ; Rousseau, Yannick. / Predicting, explaining and exploring with computer simulations in fluvial geomorphology. In: Earth-Science Reviews. 2018 ; Vol. (In-Press). pp. (In-Press).
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