Optimizing the performance of a given process requires that many different aspects are taken into account. Some of them, mostly of technical nature, relate to the local scale at which the process occurs. Other technological, economic and environmental aspects are likely to affect the dynamics of the larger space and time scales in which the process is embedded. These spatial and time scale effects require that a careful evaluation of the relation between the process and its surroundings is performed, so that hidden consequences and possible sources of inefficiency and impact are clearly identified. In this work the authors summarise a number of studies in which they applied a multi-method and multi-scale approach in order to generate a comprehensive picture of the investigated systems/ processes. The benefits of such an integrated investigation approach are discussed. © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2010.

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