Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science

de Rigo, D., 2013. <strong>Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science</strong>.<br><em>Geophysical Research Abstracts 15</em>, 13292+. ISSN 1607-7962, European Geosciences Union (EGU). arXiv:1311.4762 This is the author's version of the work. The definitive version is published in the Vol. 15 of Geophysical Research Abstracts (ISSN 1607-7962) and presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2013, Vienna, Austria, 07-12 April 2013<br>http://www.egu2013.eu/ <strong>Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science</strong> <strong><br></strong> Daniele de Rigo ¹ ² ¹ European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability,<br>Via E. Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy ² Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione,<br>Via Ponzio 34/5, I-20133 Milano, Italy <strong>Excerpt:</strong> Computational aspects increasingly shape environmental sciences. Actually, transdisciplinary modelling of complex and uncertain environmental systems is challenging computational science (CS) and also the science-policy interface. Large spatial-scale problems falling within this category - i.e. wide-scale transdisciplinary modelling for environment (WSTMe) - often deal with factors (a) for which deep-uncertainty may prevent usual statistical analysis of modelled quantities and need different ways for providing policy-making with science-based support. Here, practical recommendations are proposed for tempering a peculiar - not infrequently underestimated - source of uncertainty. Software errors in complex WSTMe may subtly affect the outcomes with possible consequences even on collective environmental decision-making. Semantic transparency in CS and free software are discussed as possible mitigations. [...]