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Agent-based modeling of socio-economic processes related to the environment: Example of land-use change

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Uncertainties in Environmental Modelling and Consequences for Policy Making

This chapter discusses some of the principles behind multi-agent modeling and shows through the examples from land-use change how they can be applied to deal with socio-economic aspects of environmental issues. An underlying theme is the divide between qualitative and quantitative approaches in the social sciences, though the chapter is also aimed at presenting agent-based modeling to those accustomed to mathematical modeling approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK

    J. Gary Polhill

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  1. J. Gary Polhill
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. SIMBIOS Centre, Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland, U.K.

    Philippe C. Baveye

  2. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A.

    Magdeline Laba

  3. Foundation Eni Enrico Mattei, Venice, Italy

    Jaroslav Mysiak

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Polhill, J.G. (2009). Agent-based modeling of socio-economic processes related to the environment: Example of land-use change. In: Baveye, P.C., Laba, M., Mysiak, J. (eds) Uncertainties in Environmental Modelling and Consequences for Policy Making. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2636-1_3

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