Coevolutionary Human-Earth System Modeling

The Coevolutionary Human-Earth System Modeling Group aims to develop novel methodologies of integrated human-Earth system modelling, i.e. co-evolutionary modelling approaches, to study the intertwined interactions between biophysical processes, such as climate and ecosystem change, and socio-economic and socio-cultural structures and dynamics, such as institutions, norms, social groups and individual behaviours that are shaping planet Earth in the Anthropocene.

One of the central challenges in this field is to bridge the gap between micro-level interactions (e.g., individual decision-making and local resource use) and macro-level phenomena (e.g., anthropogenic climate change). A key focus of the group will be on applying co-evolutionary modelling to better understand the potential of regenerative land use practices as an important contributor to revitalizing human-Earth system resilience (using the newly-developed InSEEDs model, see Fig. 3,), also exploring the potentials of novel situated and participatory modeling approaches.

One primary area of investigation will be land management, landuse, and land cover changes, which are critical to soil fertility and carbon sequestration potentials.