In 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.

在本文中，我们介绍了CSPS框架，该框架基于与水生生态系统状况相关的一系列度量标准和特征标记，对水生生态系统模型进行分级评估。该框架包括四个级别：0）概念验证；1）将模拟状态变量与观测值进行比较（“状态验证”）；2）将焊剂与测得的过程速率进行比较（“过程验证”）；和3）评估系统级别的紧急属性，模式和关系（“系统验证”）。其中，目前仅常规执行0级和1级。为了强调与水生生态系统建模社区相关的各种背景，我们介绍了一些使用0-3级评估层次结构改进验证方法的案例研究。