Questions and Scales [book chapter]
Publication date
April 7, 2020
Authors
Michael Carbajales-Dale, Emre Eftelioglu, Carey W King, Fernando R Miralles-Wilhelm, Benjamin L Ruddell, Peter Saundry, Shashi Shekhar (professor)
Abstract
We will begin by exploring the relationship between science and the type of human-centric challenges confronted in the nexus of FEW systems. We will then explore the wide range of scales in space and time, which arise in FEW nexus studies. These scales are rooted in factors related to decision-making; natural, political, and cultural geography; ecological functioning; engineering and infrastructure; scientific practice and capabilities; economics; and other considerations such as social structure, politics, culture, demographics, and human aspirations. We review the questions and scales at which we need to measure, collect data, model, and carry out significant computational work on FEW systems. We will explore how communities of science are required for effective research, and communities of practice are required for the effective application of Nexus science to problem-solving in the real world.