This graphic highlights the four required components of a CNH project. To the left, one smaller set of semi-circular arrows symbolizes natural system dynamics, with each arrow representing a process that relates one natural system condition to another natural system condition. To the right, a comparable smaller set of semi-circular arrows symbolizes human system dynamics, with each arrow representing a process that relates one human system condition to another human system condition. A larger arrow at the top of the diagram flows from the human system arrows to the natural system arrows and represents human systems impacts on natural systems. A reciprocal larger arrow at the bottom of the diagram flows from the natural system arrows to the human system arrows and represents natural systems impacts on human systems. These four sets of arrows highlight that research projects to be supported by CNH must include analyses of four different components: (1) the dynamics of a natural system; (2) the dynamics of a human system; (3) the processes through which the natural system affects the human system; and (4) the processes through which the human system affects the natural system.

This figure appears in NSF 14-601, Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH).