How Are Feedbacks Represented in Land Models?

Yang Chen, Martha M. Bakker, Arend Ligtenberg and Arnold K. Bregt
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Yang Chen: Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
Martha M. Bakker: Wageningen University & Research, Land Use Planning Group, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
Arend Ligtenberg: Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
Arnold K. Bregt: Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands

Land, 2016, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Land systems are characterised by many feedbacks that can result in complex system behaviour. We defined feedbacks as the two-way influences between the land use system and a related system (e.g., climate, soils and markets), both of which are encompassed by the land system. Land models that include feedbacks thus probably more accurately mimic how land systems respond to, e.g., policy or climate change. However, representing feedbacks in land models is a challenge. We reviewed articles incorporating feedbacks into land models and analysed each with predefined indicators. We found that (1) most modelled feedbacks couple land use systems with transport, soil and market systems, while only a few include feedbacks between land use and social systems or climate systems; (2) equation-based land use models that follow a top-down approach prevail; and (3) feedbacks’ effects on system behaviour remain relatively unexplored. We recommend that land system modellers (1) consider feedbacks between land use systems and social systems; (2) adopt (bottom-up) approaches suited to incorporating spatial heterogeneity and better representing land use decision-making; and (3) pay more attention to nonlinear system behaviour and its implications for land system management and policy.

Keywords: land system management and policy; resilience; adaptation; regime shifts; tipping points; nonlinear behaviours (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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