Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues
Although we approve of their goals, we have significant concerns about both the technical accuracy and local understanding revealed in Sandker et al. (2007). One value of modeling, as the authors indicate, is to help stimulate debate about important, complex issues. Debate is enhanced because a well...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
2008
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/19906 |
| _version_ | 1855527970957950976 |
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| author | Dudley, R.G. Sheil, Douglas Colfer, C.J.P. |
| author_browse | Colfer, C.J.P. Dudley, R.G. Sheil, Douglas |
| author_facet | Dudley, R.G. Sheil, Douglas Colfer, C.J.P. |
| author_sort | Dudley, R.G. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Although we approve of their goals, we have significant concerns about both the technical accuracy and local understanding revealed in Sandker et al. (2007). One value of modeling, as the authors indicate, is to help stimulate debate about important, complex issues. Debate is enhanced because a well-structured model explicitly states the assumptions concerning causal relationships among its components. Genuine participation by domain experts and stakeholders helps ensure that these relationships reflect an accepted, although simplified, reality. If model structure is unduly complicated, unclear, or inaccessible, such debate will be limited. One advantage of system dynamics modeling is that, over the past 50 years, a fairly standardized approach has evolved that, if used, encourages effective communication regarding model structure, assumptions, and outcomes. For a complete treatment of this approach, see Sterman (2000). In addition to using a standardized approach and software (e.g., Stella®, Vensim®, PowerSim®, and similar packages, some with free versions), the system dynamics paradigm also provides model evaluation tools and verification protocols (e.g., Barlas 1996, Sterman 2000, Chapter 21). These help ensure the overall value and utility of a model. This matters because the desired end product is not the model, but improved scientific understanding and policy formulation. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace19906 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publishDateRange | 2008 |
| publishDateSort | 2008 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace199062025-01-24T14:13:12Z Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues Dudley, R.G. Sheil, Douglas Colfer, C.J.P. models systems dynamics oil palms Although we approve of their goals, we have significant concerns about both the technical accuracy and local understanding revealed in Sandker et al. (2007). One value of modeling, as the authors indicate, is to help stimulate debate about important, complex issues. Debate is enhanced because a well-structured model explicitly states the assumptions concerning causal relationships among its components. Genuine participation by domain experts and stakeholders helps ensure that these relationships reflect an accepted, although simplified, reality. If model structure is unduly complicated, unclear, or inaccessible, such debate will be limited. One advantage of system dynamics modeling is that, over the past 50 years, a fairly standardized approach has evolved that, if used, encourages effective communication regarding model structure, assumptions, and outcomes. For a complete treatment of this approach, see Sterman (2000). In addition to using a standardized approach and software (e.g., Stella®, Vensim®, PowerSim®, and similar packages, some with free versions), the system dynamics paradigm also provides model evaluation tools and verification protocols (e.g., Barlas 1996, Sterman 2000, Chapter 21). These help ensure the overall value and utility of a model. This matters because the desired end product is not the model, but improved scientific understanding and policy formulation. 2008 2012-06-04T09:12:51Z 2012-06-04T09:12:51Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/19906 en Dudley, R.G., Sheil, D., Colfer, C.J.P. 2008. Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues . Ecology and Society 13 (1) :r1. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol13/iss1/resp1/. ISSN: 1708-3087. |
| spellingShingle | models systems dynamics oil palms Dudley, R.G. Sheil, Douglas Colfer, C.J.P. Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title | Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title_full | Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title_fullStr | Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title_short | Simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| title_sort | simulating oil palm expansion requires credible approaches that address real issues |
| topic | models systems dynamics oil palms |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/19906 |
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