Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2021-196
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2021-196
Submitted as: methods for assessment of models
 | 
19 Jul 2021
Submitted as: methods for assessment of models |  | 19 Jul 2021
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal GMD but the revision was not accepted.

Quantifying Causal Contributions in Earth Systems by Normalized Information Flow

Chin-Hsien Cheng and Simon A. T. Redfern

Abstract. To understand the plethora of important processes that are characterized by their complexity, from global pandemics to global climate change, it may be critical to quantify causal contributions between time series variables. Here, we examine an empirical linear relationship between the rate of changing causes and effects with various multipliers. Sign corrected normalized information flow (nIFc) tends to provide the best estimates of causal contributions, often in situations where such causality is poorly reflected by regressions. These include: i) causal contributions with alternating feedback (correlation) sign, ii) significant causal time-lags, iii) significant noise contributions, and iv) comparison among many causes to an overall mean effect, especially with teleconnection. Estimates of methane-climate feedbacks with both observational and Earth system model CESM2 data are given as examples of nonlinear process quantification and model assessment. The relative causal contribution is hypothesized to be proportional to |nIF|, i.e. the ratio between entropy (degree of uncertainty) received from the cause-variable (i.e. information flow, |IF|) and the total entropy change of the effect-variable. Large entropy, associated with noise, deteriorates the estimates of total entropy change, and hence nIF, while the proportional relationship between the relative causal contribution and IF improves.

Chin-Hsien Cheng and Simon A. T. Redfern

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Daniel Fiifi Hagan, 23 Jul 2021
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Simon Redfern, 27 Jul 2021
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Daniel Hagan, 11 Aug 2021
  • RC1: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Aug 2021
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Sep 2021
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021
  • AC2: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Daniel Fiifi Hagan, 23 Jul 2021
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Simon Redfern, 27 Jul 2021
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Daniel Hagan, 11 Aug 2021
  • RC1: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Aug 2021
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Sep 2021
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021
  • AC2: 'Comment on gmd-2021-196', Simon Redfern, 20 Sep 2021
Chin-Hsien Cheng and Simon A. T. Redfern
Chin-Hsien Cheng and Simon A. T. Redfern

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Short summary
Causality is one of the foundations of scientific understanding and progress. Causality, being one of the foundations of scientific understanding and progress, continues to expand its application in various research disciplines in recent years. For Earth sciences, causation is important for evaluating, constraining, and improving climate models. Here, we explore, the conditions under which information flow works best for quantifying causality and explain why it is advantageous.