Lucien Duckstein - Böcker

This book presents in a systematic and comprehensive manner the modeling of uncertainty, vagueness, or imprecision, alias "fuzziness," in just about any field of science and engineering. It delivers a usable methodology for modeling in the absence of real-time feedback.The book includes a short introduction to fuzzy logic containing basic definitions of fuzzy set theory and fuzzy rule systems. It describes methods for the assessment of rule systems, systems with discrete response sets, for modeling time series, for exact physical systems, examines verification and redundancy issues, and investigates rule response functions.Definitions and propositions, some of which have not been published elsewhere, are provided; numerous examples as well as references to more elaborate case studies are also given. Fuzzy rule-based modeling has the potential to revolutionize fields such as hydrology because it can handle uncertainty in modeling problems too complex to be approached by a stochastic analysis. There is also excellent potential for handling large-scale systems such as regionalization or highly non-linear problems such as unsaturated groundwater pollution.

In a world facing a growing water crisis, conflicts regarding water sharing and environmental issues are expected to grow, especially in transboundary river basins, where 40 per cent of the world's population lives. This book represents one of the first attempts to bring together methodologies and analytical tools from socio-economic, international policy, engineering, and water management specialists dealing with transboundary water resources. The book is divided into three parts. Part I introduces state--of-the-art concepts in institutional policy and conflict analysis. Part II presents engineering approaches and models for transboundary water management and conflict resolution. Part III analyzes cases in international river basins and enclosed seas.