Modeling and Simulation of Human–Environment Interactions, 2nd Edition
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 385
Special Issue Editor
Interests: (spatial) agent-based modeling; sensitivity analysis; model development; spatial analysis; complex urban systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the development of a second volume of a Special Issue on “Modelling and Simulation of Human–Environment Interactions”. The issue focuses on computational models that provide intelligent environmental decision support systems to understand how human decisions are shaped by and contribute to environmental changes. The abundance of open questions in modeling and simulation reflects the complexity of these systems:
- At the design stage, we need to identify the right modeling approaches (e.g., should we use Agent-Based Modeling, Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, or Hybrid Models?), deal with issues in the data (e.g., uncertainty, linking datasets, utilizing narratives on top surveys and questionnaires), apply artificial intelligence methods like machine learning to enhance the predictive power of the models, and efficiently work with the community (e.g., how can we transparently engage stakeholders in participatory modeling?).
- At the implementation stage, we need to create models that can efficiently perform simulations (e.g., scale to a large population or geographical area), integrate with other systems, or support a high level of interactivity with decision-makers.
- When results are generated, we need to account for uncertainty, analyze their output, and validate them depending on the social and environmental context of use.
We solicit papers for this Special Issue that broadly deal with such challenges by addressing open questions, providing novel case studies, or encouraging interesting and challenging debates. Papers can be reviews, syntheses, viewpoints, meta-analyses, novel methodologies, or applications. Theoretical and applied contributions may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Simulation models and techniques (e.g., Agent-Based Model, Cellular Automata, Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, System Dynamics) for human–environment interactions.
- Using artificial intelligence techniques and systems to model human–environment interactions (e.g., case-based reasoning systems, machine learning, data mining).
- Software or implementations covering issues of scalability, usability, or integration.
- Methodologies for parts of the modeling process (e.g., design, analysis).
Modeling applications covering a wide range of topics such as urban systems, agricultural systems, public health, land use change, natural disaster management, and public participatory modeling are particularly encouraged. This diversity of topics ensures that the Special Issue will be comprehensive and insightful.
Dr. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- agent-based model
- artificial societies
- decision support systems
- fuzzy cognitive maps
- environmental software
- human–natural interactions
- integrated assessment
- model development
- participatory modeling
- social simulation, coupled human and natural systems
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