Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science

de Rigo, D., 2013. Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science.
Geophysical Research Abstracts 15, EGU General Assembly 2013

 

This is the author's version of the work. The definitive version is published in the Vol. 15 of Geophysical Research Abstracts (ISSN 1607-7962) and presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2013, Vienna, Austria, 07-12 April 2013
http://www.egu2013.eu/

 

Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science

Daniele de Rigo ¹ ²

¹ European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability,
Via E. Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy

² Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione,
Via Ponzio 34/5, I-20133 Milano, Italy

 

Excerpt:

Computational aspects increasingly shape environmental sciences. Actually, transdisciplinary modelling of complex and uncertain environmental systems is challenging computational science (CS) and also the science-policy interface. Large spatial-scale problems falling within this category - i.e. wide-scale transdisciplinary modelling for environment (WSTMe) - often deal with factors (a) for which deep-uncertainty may prevent usual statistical analysis of modelled quantities and need different ways for providing policy-making with science-based support. Here, practical recommendations are proposed for tempering a peculiar - not infrequently underestimated - source of uncertainty. Software errors in complex WSTMe may subtly affect the outcomes with possible consequences even on collective environmental decision-making. Semantic transparency in CS and free software are discussed as possible mitigations. [...]