William E. Grant, Todd M. Swannack

Ecological Modeling (eBook, ePUB)

A Common-Sense Approach to Theory and Practice

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Ecological Modeling:A Commonsense Approach to Theory and Practice explores how simulation modeling and its new ecological applications can offer solutions to complex natural resource management problems. This is a practical guide for students, teachers, and professional ecologists. * Examines four phases of the modeling process: conceptual model formulation, quantitative model specification, model evaluation, and model use * Provides useful building blocks for constructing systems simulation models * Includes a format for reporting the development and use of simulation models * Offers an integrated systems perspective for students, faculty, and professionals * Features helpful insights from the author, gained over 30 years of university teaching "I can strongly recommend the book as textbook for all courses in population dynamic modeling particularly when the course is planned for the second or third year of a bachelor study in ecology, environmental science or ecological engineering. It uncovers very clearly for the readers the scientific idea and thinking behind modeling and all the necessary steps in the development of models." Ecological Modeling Journal, 2009

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
• Seitenzahl: 176
• Erscheinungstermin: 26. August 2011
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781444359930
• Artikelnr.: 38309921

Autorenporträt

Bill Grant has taught ecological modeling in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (WFSC) at Texas A&M University since 1976, has served on the Board of Governors and as President of the International Society for Ecological Modeling, and has been Associate Editor of the international journal Ecological Modelling since 1997. Todd Swannack also has taught ecological modeling in WFSC at Texas A&M University, and has been modeling the population dynamics of endangered species since 2002.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface. Acknowledgments. 1 Introduction. 1.1 Common Sense Solutions: Three
Exercises. 1.2 Modeling Theory. 1.3 Modeling Practice. 1.4 Theory,
Practice, and Common Sense. 1.5 Intended Use of this Book. 2 Common Sense
Solutions. 2.1 Three Problems. 2.2 The Systems Approach to Problem Solving.
2.3 The Three Problems Revisited: The Systems Approach. 3 Theory I: The
Conceptual Model. 3.1 State the Model Objectives (Ia). 3.2 Bound the
System-of-Interest (Ib). 3.3 Categorize the Components within the
System-of-Interest (Ic). 3.4 Identify the Relationships among the
Components That Are of Interest (Id). 3.5 Represent the Conceptual Model
(Ie). 3.6 Describe the Expected Patterns of Model Behavior (If). 4 Theory
II: The Quantitative Model. 4.1 Select the General Quantitative Structure
for the Model (IIa). 4.2 Choose the Basic Time Unit for the Simulations
(IIb). 4.3 Identify the Functional Forms of the Model Equations (IIc). 4.4
Estimate the Parameters of the Model Equations (IId). 4.5 Execute the
Baseline Simulation (IIe). 5 Theory III: Model Evaluation. 5.1 Assess the
Reasonableness of the Model Structure and the Interpretability of
Functional Relationships within the Model (IIIa). 5.2 Evaluate the
Correspondence between Model Behavior and the Expected Patterns of Model
Behavior (IIIb). 5.3 Examine the Correspondence between Model Projections
and the Data from the Real System (IIIc). 5.4 Determine the Sensitivity of
Model Projections to Changes in the Values of Important Parameters (IIId).
6 Theory IV: Model Application. 6.1 Develop and Execute the Experimental
Design for the Simulations (IVa). 6.2 Analyze and Interpret the Simulation
Results (IVb). 6.3 Communicate the Simulation Results (IVc). 7 Some Common
Pitfalls. 7.1 Phase I: Pitfalls: The Conceptual Model. 7.2 Phase II
Pitfalls: The Quantitative Model. 7.3 Phase III Pitfalls: Model Evaluation.
7.4 Phase IV Pitfalls: Model Application. 8 The Modeling Process In
Practice. 8.1 The Preliminary Conceptual Model (CM). 8.2 The Intermediate
Developmental Models (IDMi). 8.3 The Final Model (FM). 8.4 The Three
Problems Revisited. 9 Reflections. 9.1 The Systems Approach as a Complement
to other Methods of Problem Solving. 9.2 Ecological Modeling as a
Problem-Solving Process. 9.3 Expectations for Ecological Models. 9.4 A
Final Thought. References. Appendix A: Introduction To The Ecological
Modeling Literature. Appendix B: Scientific Reports For The Three Examples.
B.1: Effect of Deforestation on Rate of Food Harvest. B.2: Effect of
Hurricane Frequency on Probability of Population Extinction. B.3: Effect of
Stocking Rate on Forage and Animal Production. Index