We present a study on the impact of soil and climatic variability on the yield of winter wheat in the Hérault-Libron-Orb Valley in southern France. The study was based on the use of a crop simulation model (Euro-ACCESS), run at 63 individual sites throughout the study area, for the current climate (1976 to 1984) and for potential future changes in temperature and precipitation (2047 to 2054). T...

1. Introduction Systems approach has been used by engineers since the 1950's for the study of complex and dynamic processes but their use by scientists working in biological fields is relatively recent. A system is defined as any well delineated part of reality which may contain a number of interrelated elements forming the systems structure. These functioning components interact in various way...

This commentary considers the positive and negative consequences of early economic modelling and explores potential future directions. Early economic modelling offers device manufacturers an opportunity to assess the potential value of an innovation at an early stage of development. Early modelling can direct resources into potentially viable technologies and reduce inv...

Climate Change has been acknowledged as one of the single greatest threats to global social, environmental and economic wellbeing. Climate change poses significant threats to existing urban infrastructure, current water use practices and agricultural industries to name a few. In the State of Victoria in Australia, there is an e-Science initiative to mobilise cross-organisational expertise in or...

As the impact of climate change on agricultural sector has begun to manifest itself in its severity, adaptation planning come under scrutiny for favoring preservation status-quo conditions over more substantial changes. The uptake transformational adaptations, involving a significant re-structuring system, is however hindered by lack assessment tools capable quantifying effects these often comp...