Session: Use and Abuse of Empirical and Physical Models in Soil Physics, Hydrology and Geo-Engineering from Pore to Landscape Scales Oral

Division: SSSA Division: Soil Physics and Hydrology

Title: Use and Abuse of Empirical and Physical Models in Soil Physics, Hydrology and Geo-Engineering from Pore to Landscape Scales Oral

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Format: Oral Topical Session
Keywords: Empirical and physical models, Model complexity, Model uncertainty and Upscaling

Session Description: Empirical and mechanistic models play important roles in improving our understanding and ability to predict flow and transport processes in heterogeneous subsurface environments that are poorly characterized. However, these models are only as good as their underlying assumptions and accuracy of parameters. Models can be abused when underlying assumptions are violated and/or when parameters are inaccurate. Some of these challenges may be overcome through modeling training with big datasets. However, questions regarding model complexity, upscaling, and uncertainty remain. We invite contributions to improve the use and overcome the abuse of models in soil physics, hydrology, and geo-engineering at various scales.