System for Environmental and Agricultural Modeling Linking European Science and Society
European agriculture faces major challenges. The ongoing process of EU enlargement, WTO negotiations, the introduction of novel agro-technologies, changing societal demands and climate change, for instance, all interact in intricate ways. This dynamic context calls for efficient and effective agricultural and environmental policies, to support the sustainability of European agriculture and its contribution to the sustainable development of society at large.
Agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for example, require development of alternative energy sources and carbon sequestration. A relevant policy question here is what measures can be implemented to enhance the role of agriculture in these processes?
SEAMLESS enables researchers to develop a computerised and integrated framework in which to compare alternative agricultural and environmental policy options. SEAMLESS facilitates assessment of key indicators characterising interactions between agricultural systems, society and human and natural resources.
The framework operates through quantitative models, comprehensive databases and qualitative procedures, which simulate the impacts on society of behavioural, biophysical and economic changes.
SEAMLESS offers researchers a tool to produce ex ante assessments at the full range of scales, from the global to the field level, to support policy and decision making for sustainable development. The system is open and generic, so as to deal with the policy issues of today and those of 2010.
SEAMLESS involves 30 research institutions from 13 European countries, Mali and the United States.
Integrated Framework Software
During the 4 years of the SEAMLESS project the integrated framework software will be developed iteratively. The images shown here are from the first major prototype re-lease (2006). The final release will be in 2008.
The software will hide the complex inner workings from the users and show them a task oriented user interface so that they can focus on the assessment.
Model linking is based on the OpenMI standard, enriched with semantic information.
The model results will be explorable as thematic maps, 3D landscape visualisations and indicator dashboards.
