Sensitivity analysis: fundamentals

Sensitivity analysis (SA) is a valuable tool to support the use of mathematical models for environmental systems. Local or global SA (namely, LSA and GSA) are performed in order to better understand processes and to select the most influential factors affecting processes. The main objective of this extended abstract is to provide an informed problem statement of the issues surrounding LSA and GSA applications in the environmental water quality modelling field. Specifically, this paper aims at identifying, for the most popular methods, their potential use, the critical issues to be solved and the limits identified in a comprehensive literature review.