Hipsey, Matthew R.Gal, GideonArhonditsis, George B.Carey, Cayelan C.Elliott, J. AlexFrassl, Marieke A.Janse, Jan H.de Mora, LeeRobson, Barbara J.2020-12-232020-12-232020-061364-8152104697http://hdl.handle.net/10919/101617In this paper, we introduce the CSPS framework for the hierarchical assessment of aquatic ecosystem models built on a range of metrics and characteristic signatures relevant to aquatic ecosystem condition. The framework is comprised of four levels: 0) conceptual validation; 1) comparison of simulated state variables with observations ('state validation'); 2) comparison of fluxes with measured process rates ('process validation'); and 3) assessment of system-level emergent properties, patterns and relationships ('system validation'). Of these, only levels 0 and 1 are routinely undertaken at present. To highlight a diverse range of contexts relevant to the aquatic ecosystem modelling community, we present several case studies of improved validation approaches using the level 0-3 assessment hierarchy. We envision that the community-driven adoption of these metrics will lead to more rigorously assessed models, ultimately accelerating advances in model structure and function, and improved confidence in model predictions.application/pdfenCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalAEMCSPSEcological modellingUncertaintyWater qualityFreshwaterMarineArticle - Refereedhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.1046971281873-6726