Arnald Puy
Biographic Data
| ID | 2282526 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Arnald Puy |
| GIVEN NAMES | Arnald |
| FAMILY NAME | Puy |
| SIGNATURE | PUY A |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Birmingham |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9469-2156 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 12 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 22 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 12 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1970 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Digital Twins of the Earth Between Vision and Fiction
Digital replicas (or twins) of the entire planet and of its inhabitants are being actively proposed by the research community for a variety of purposes, with a focus on climate adaptation and mitigation. Since mathematical modelling is at the core of this digital enterprise, we undertake to explore the possible limits of models in creating twins of the Earth by recalling some of the existing visions about the nature and function of mathematical m…
Bring digital twins back to Earth
We reflect on the development of digital twins of the Earth, which we associate with a reductionist view of nature as a machine. The projects of digital twins deviate from contemporary scientific paradigms in the treatment of complexity and uncertainty, and does not engage with critical and interpretative social sciences. We contest the utility of digital twins for addressing climate change issues and discuss societal risks associated with the co…
Impact assessment culture in the European Union. Time for something new
Current approaches and cultures for the economic evaluations of environmental and health policies may suffer from excessive reliance on a standard neoclassic economic toolbox that neglects alternative perspectives. This may prematurely limit the spectrum of available policy options. Here we show how the inclusion of neglected currents of thought such as non-Ricardian economics, bioeconomics and a set of qualitative-quantitative methods from post-…
What can mathematical modelling contribute to a sociology of quantification
Sociology of quantification has spent relatively less energies investigating mathematical modelling than it has on other forms of quantification such as statistics, metrics, or algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Here we investigate whether concepts and approaches from mathematical modelling can provide sociology of quantification with nuanced tools to ensure the methodological soundness, normative adequacy and fairness of numbers. We su…
Large variations in global irrigation withdrawals caused by uncertain irrigation efficiencies
An assessment of the human impact on the global water cycle requires estimating the volume of water withdrawn for irrigated agriculture. A key parameter in this calculation is the irrigation efficiency, which corrects for the fraction of water lost between irrigation withdrawals and the crop due to management, distribution or conveyance losses. Here we show that the irrigation efficiency used in global irrigation models is flawed for it overlooks…
The Challenge of Quantification
The present work looks at what we call "the multiverse of quantification", where visible and invisible numbers permeate all aspects and venues of life. We review the contributions of different authors who focus on the roles of quantification in society, with the aim of capturing different and sometimes separate voices. Several scholars, including economists, jurists, philosophers, sociologists, communication and data scientists, express concerns …
Unpacking the modelling process via sensitivity auditing
Acknowledging the conditionality of model-based evidence facilitates the dialogue between model developers and model users, especially when models are used to guide decisions at the science-policy interface. In general, model users have limited access to verify the realism of a model, being only exposed to model plausibility and trustworthiness; instead, modellers have an an array of validation and verification techniques available. In the end, m…
Five ways to ensure that models serve society
Radiocarbon Dating of Agrarian Terraces by Means of Buried Soils
Soils buried under terrace fills have been widely used to date the construction of ancient agrarian terraces. The reliability of the obtained radiocarbon dates entirely depends on the degree of preservation and isolation of the Ab horizons and on the amount of embedded older carbon. To assess these caveats, we analyzed 14 14 C dates (11 on charred material and 3 on the bulk organic fraction) obtained from buried soils under Andalusi terrace fills…
Resilience of small-scale societies
Balbo, A. L., E. Gómez-Baggethun, M. Salpeteur, A. Puy, S. Biagetti, and J. Scheffran. 2016. Resilience of small-scale societies: a view from drylands. Ecology and Society 21(2):53.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08327-210253
Land selection for irrigation in Al-Andalus, Spain (8th century a.d.)
The Andalusi hydraulic systems of the Iberian Peninsula, constructed by Arabs and Berbers between a.d. 711 and the feudal conquest of Al-Andalus (11–15th centuries a.d.), are today among the most productive agricultural areas in Europe. Their current extension is the result of several enlargements made to the original Andalusi design, irrigating lands initially rejected by the first builders. Understanding the reasons that led Arabs and Berbers t…
Climate Change, Security Risks, and Violent Conflicts
Research on security-related aspects of climate change is an important element of climate change impact assessments. Hamburg has become a globally recognized center of pertinent analysis of the climate-conflict-nexus. The essays in this collection present a sample of the research conducted from 2009 to 2018 within an interdisciplinary cooperation of experts from Universität Hamburg and other institutions in Hamburg related to the research group "…
Radiocarbon Dating of Agrarian Terraces by Means of Buried Soils
Soils buried under terrace fills have been widely used to date the construction of ancient agrarian terraces. The reliability of the obtained radiocarbon dates entirely depends on the degree of preservation and isolation of the Ab horizons and on the amount of embedded older carbon. To assess these caveats, we analyzed 14 14 C dates (11 on charred material and 3 on the bulk organic fraction) obtained from buried soils under Andalusi terrace fills…
Resilience of small-scale societies
Balbo, A. L., E. Gómez-Baggethun, M. Salpeteur, A. Puy, S. Biagetti, and J. Scheffran. 2016. Resilience of small-scale societies: a view from drylands. Ecology and Society 21(2):53.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08327-210253
Impact assessment culture in the European Union. Time for something new
Current approaches and cultures for the economic evaluations of environmental and health policies may suffer from excessive reliance on a standard neoclassic economic toolbox that neglects alternative perspectives. This may prematurely limit the spectrum of available policy options. Here we show how the inclusion of neglected currents of thought such as non-Ricardian economics, bioeconomics and a set of qualitative-quantitative methods from post-…
Bring digital twins back to Earth
We reflect on the development of digital twins of the Earth, which we associate with a reductionist view of nature as a machine. The projects of digital twins deviate from contemporary scientific paradigms in the treatment of complexity and uncertainty, and does not engage with critical and interpretative social sciences. We contest the utility of digital twins for addressing climate change issues and discuss societal risks associated with the co…
Digital Twins of the Earth Between Vision and Fiction
Digital replicas (or twins) of the entire planet and of its inhabitants are being actively proposed by the research community for a variety of purposes, with a focus on climate adaptation and mitigation. Since mathematical modelling is at the core of this digital enterprise, we undertake to explore the possible limits of models in creating twins of the Earth by recalling some of the existing visions about the nature and function of mathematical m…
What can mathematical modelling contribute to a sociology of quantification
Sociology of quantification has spent relatively less energies investigating mathematical modelling than it has on other forms of quantification such as statistics, metrics, or algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Here we investigate whether concepts and approaches from mathematical modelling can provide sociology of quantification with nuanced tools to ensure the methodological soundness, normative adequacy and fairness of numbers. We su…
The Challenge of Quantification
The present work looks at what we call "the multiverse of quantification", where visible and invisible numbers permeate all aspects and venues of life. We review the contributions of different authors who focus on the roles of quantification in society, with the aim of capturing different and sometimes separate voices. Several scholars, including economists, jurists, philosophers, sociologists, communication and data scientists, express concerns …
Unpacking the modelling process via sensitivity auditing
Acknowledging the conditionality of model-based evidence facilitates the dialogue between model developers and model users, especially when models are used to guide decisions at the science-policy interface. In general, model users have limited access to verify the realism of a model, being only exposed to model plausibility and trustworthiness; instead, modellers have an an array of validation and verification techniques available. In the end, m…
Climate Change, Security Risks, and Violent Conflicts
Research on security-related aspects of climate change is an important element of climate change impact assessments. Hamburg has become a globally recognized center of pertinent analysis of the climate-conflict-nexus. The essays in this collection present a sample of the research conducted from 2009 to 2018 within an interdisciplinary cooperation of experts from Universität Hamburg and other institutions in Hamburg related to the research group "…
Land selection for irrigation in Al-Andalus, Spain (8th century a.d.)
The Andalusi hydraulic systems of the Iberian Peninsula, constructed by Arabs and Berbers between a.d. 711 and the feudal conquest of Al-Andalus (11–15th centuries a.d.), are today among the most productive agricultural areas in Europe. Their current extension is the result of several enlargements made to the original Andalusi design, irrigating lands initially rejected by the first builders. Understanding the reasons that led Arabs and Berbers t…
Radiocarbon Dating of Agrarian Terraces by Means of Buried Soils
Soils buried under terrace fills have been widely used to date the construction of ancient agrarian terraces. The reliability of the obtained radiocarbon dates entirely depends on the degree of preservation and isolation of the Ab horizons and on the amount of embedded older carbon. To assess these caveats, we analyzed 14 14 C dates (11 on charred material and 3 on the bulk organic fraction) obtained from buried soils under Andalusi terrace fills…
Resilience of small-scale societies
Balbo, A. L., E. Gómez-Baggethun, M. Salpeteur, A. Puy, S. Biagetti, and J. Scheffran. 2016. Resilience of small-scale societies: a view from drylands. Ecology and Society 21(2):53.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08327-210253
Five ways to ensure that models serve society
Large variations in global irrigation withdrawals caused by uncertain irrigation efficiencies
An assessment of the human impact on the global water cycle requires estimating the volume of water withdrawn for irrigated agriculture. A key parameter in this calculation is the irrigation efficiency, which corrects for the fraction of water lost between irrigation withdrawals and the crop due to management, distribution or conveyance losses. Here we show that the irrigation efficiency used in global irrigation models is flawed for it overlooks…
The Challenge of Quantification
The present work looks at what we call "the multiverse of quantification", where visible and invisible numbers permeate all aspects and venues of life. We review the contributions of different authors who focus on the roles of quantification in society, with the aim of capturing different and sometimes separate voices. Several scholars, including economists, jurists, philosophers, sociologists, communication and data scientists, express concerns …
Unpacking the modelling process via sensitivity auditing
Acknowledging the conditionality of model-based evidence facilitates the dialogue between model developers and model users, especially when models are used to guide decisions at the science-policy interface. In general, model users have limited access to verify the realism of a model, being only exposed to model plausibility and trustworthiness; instead, modellers have an an array of validation and verification techniques available. In the end, m…
Impact assessment culture in the European Union. Time for something new
Current approaches and cultures for the economic evaluations of environmental and health policies may suffer from excessive reliance on a standard neoclassic economic toolbox that neglects alternative perspectives. This may prematurely limit the spectrum of available policy options. Here we show how the inclusion of neglected currents of thought such as non-Ricardian economics, bioeconomics and a set of qualitative-quantitative methods from post-…
What can mathematical modelling contribute to a sociology of quantification
Sociology of quantification has spent relatively less energies investigating mathematical modelling than it has on other forms of quantification such as statistics, metrics, or algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Here we investigate whether concepts and approaches from mathematical modelling can provide sociology of quantification with nuanced tools to ensure the methodological soundness, normative adequacy and fairness of numbers. We su…
Bring digital twins back to Earth
We reflect on the development of digital twins of the Earth, which we associate with a reductionist view of nature as a machine. The projects of digital twins deviate from contemporary scientific paradigms in the treatment of complexity and uncertainty, and does not engage with critical and interpretative social sciences. We contest the utility of digital twins for addressing climate change issues and discuss societal risks associated with the co…
Digital Twins of the Earth Between Vision and Fiction
Digital replicas (or twins) of the entire planet and of its inhabitants are being actively proposed by the research community for a variety of purposes, with a focus on climate adaptation and mitigation. Since mathematical modelling is at the core of this digital enterprise, we undertake to explore the possible limits of models in creating twins of the Earth by recalling some of the existing visions about the nature and function of mathematical m…
Geography (6 works) · Political science (6 works) · Computer Science (5 works) · Ecology (5 works) · Law (5 works) · Social science (5 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Engineering (4 works) · Environmental ethics (4 works) · Environmental Science (4 works)