Systems analysis is a quantitative and multidisciplinary research field aimed at combining, interpreting and communicating knowledge from natural and social sciences, and technology. Environmental systems analysis is the application of systems analysis in the environmental field to describe and analyse the causes, mechanisms, effects of, and potential solution for specific environmental problems.
Our mission is the improvement of concepts and methods for environmental systems analysis, with a special emphasis on:
- The behaviour of large scale models;
- Methods for uncertainty analysis;
- Upscaling of scientific findings from small to large scale;
- (Participatory) integrated assessment / environmental impact assessment;
- Environmental function analysis and conflict analysis;
- Integrated cost-benefit analysis of multifunctional land (and water) use;
- Decision support systems (including ecological-economic modelling).
The Environmental Systems Analysis Group is developing environmental systems analysis along two research lines: a Substance Approach and a Regional Approach.
The Environmental Systems Analysis Group participates in the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) which belongs to the National Research School Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE). Other participating institutes in SENSE include:
- The CML-Centre of Environmental Science (Leiden University);
- STS-Department of Science, Technology and Society (Utrecht University);
- IVAM-Interfaculty Department of Environmental Science and ARISE-Amsterdam Research Institute for Substances in Ecosystems (University of Amsterdam);
- ACES-Amsterdam Centre for Environmental Science, IVM-Institute for Environmental Studies and the faculties of Biology and Earth Sciences (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam);
- IVEM-Centre for Energy and Environmental Studies (University of Groningen);
- ICIS-International Centre for Integrative Studies (University Maastricht)