Soil-water systems consist of various interlinked components. Changes in one components drive changes in other components. We refer to these processes as interactions within a soil-water system. It is because of these interactions that soil and water should not be considered separately, but rather as components of complex systems. The processes that take place within these systems significantly affect climate risks and the impacts that result from them. Understanding these systems, and the interactions that take place within them, is therefore crucial for professionals and stakeholders seeking to implement measures for climate adaptation. 

Untill around 1000 years ago, soil-water systems in Europe were mostly the result of natural processes. Humanity's impact on these systems has increased over time. Attempts to control these systems as much as possible has and continues to generate conflicts between humans and nature, of which flooding of seas and rivers are prominent examples. 

Soil-water models are simplified representations of soil-water systems. These models are developped as a means to schematically present soil-water systems and the interactions that take place within them. In doing so, they allow practitioners to understand the way in which the components of these systems work. Soil-water models can also be used to conduct scenario analyses, in which possible (adaptation) measures can be examined within the context of different future developments.