As we convene at the foot of the Rocky Mountains for iEMSs 2018, we are reminded of the challenges we face in sustaining our food, energy, and water systems for generations to come. Snowmelt and rainfall feed our reservoirs and streams, allocated to our growing population and farmlands, and flowing downstream to benefit our neighbors to both the east and west. Our mountains and plains hold mineral and energy resources to be used wisely while maintaining biodiversity and our quality of life. Our forests and grasslands provide a variety of ecosystem services to be conserved and passed on to future generations. Our cities and towns support vibrant communities, to become more resilient and better able to respond to environmental and socio-economic change.
Modeling plays a fundamental role in understanding these challenges and the paths to solutions, informing policies and management decisions leading to healthy, sustainable environments for communities to prosper. The Front Range of Colorado is home to a community of universities, companies, government agencies, and research organizations engaged with science and application of natural resources management, an ideal setting for convening our society’s 9th International Congress. Our society comes to Colorado State University prepared to report research progress, outline solutions, describe new technologies, discuss novel ideas, and develop synergies to advance the science and application of environmental modeling.
We hope our campus-setting provides a relaxed atmosphere for discussion and exchange, and trust you will have a wonderful experience. Thank you for joining us and welcome to Fort Collins!
Browse the contents of 9th International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software - Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA - June 2018:
- Stream G: General Topics
- Stream F: System Identification Approaches for Complex Environmental Systems
- Over the past three decades, significant theoretical and computational advancements have been made that facilitate identification, characterization and quantification of criticalities, thresholds, and risks associated with coupled natural-human systems. This stream focuses on theories, approaches, algorithms, software tools, and activities that facilitate understanding uncertainties and risks at the system level, system identification, and data assimilation.
- Stream E: Modeling for Planetary Health and Environmental Sustainability
- Significant progress in public health, agricultural, industrial, and technical advancements over the past century has improved health and wellbeing of billions of people. However, increased access and consumption have increased pressures on natural resources and has taken a toll on land, air, and water resources. This stream focuses on new theoretical advancements or novel applications of environmental models for solving planetary health and environmental challenges at various spatial and temporal scales.
- Stream D: Modeling Environmental Fate of Contaminants, Human Well-being and Public Health
- Anthropogenic activities and management of natural resources have vital implications for human and ecological health, and well-being of our communities. Furthermore, extreme events can have profound impacts on human health, shattering the most vulnerable communities and instilling enormous costs on governments and economies. This stream focuses on modelling efforts to address these challenges.
- Stream C: Integrated Social, Economic, Ecological, and Infrastructural Modeling
- Environmental models are increasingly used to assist planners and managers in the decision-making process. These processes often require integration of data and modeling tools from traditionally disparate disciplines. Moreover, interactions with stakeholders during model building may be vital for increased acceptance of modeling results. This session focuses on social, economic, ecological and infrastructural modeling efforts.
- Stream B: (Big) Data Solutions for Planning, Management, and Operation and Environmental Systems
- Processing data and environmental information using Big Data methods, identifying challenges, opportunities and solutions. Efficient environmental data management, storage, processing, and analytics at scale are topics for sessions in this stream.
- Stream A: Advanced Methods and Approaches in Environmental Computing
- Advancements in computational methods and technology are always playing an important role for model development and application. Novel approaches that enable innovative software applications for environmental systems are requested; current and future computational challenges for modeling are among the proposed session topics.
- Poster Session