Read more
Simulation models enable land and watershed managers to make precise, authoritative determinations about the affects of various changes on the environment over time. This book discusses the role of modeling in the management process and gives an overview of state-of-the-art modeling applications. The first chapters provide background on the benefits and costs of modeling and on the ecological basis of models, using historical applications as examples. The second section of the book describes the latest models from a wide selection of environmental disciplines. Since management frequently requires the integration of knowledge from many different areas, both single discipline and multidiscipline models are discussed in detail. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the issues and alternatives in choosing, applying, and evaluating models. Land and watershed managers as well as students of forestry, park management, regional planing and agriculture will find this book a thorough and practical introduction to all aspects of modeling.
List of contents
I History, Theory, and Challenges.- 1 Characterizing Watershed and Landscape Management.- 2 Challenges of Management and Modeling.- 3 Perspectives in Ecological Modeling and Simulation.- 4 Perspectives in Hydrologic Modeling and Simulation.- II Choosing Models and Modeling Environments.- 5 Questions Addressed with Single-Discipline Simulation Models.- 6 Questions Addressed with Multidiscipline Simulation Models.- 7 Creating New Models.- 8 Coordinating Large-Scale, Interdisciplinary Watershed Modeling.- 9 Analyzing Alternatives.- 10 Who Develops and Runs the Models?.- 11 Error and Uncertainty Analysis 107.- 12 Model Evaluation Guidelines.- III An Integrated Watershed Modeling and Simulation Future.- 13 Approaches to Future Model Integration.- 14 Design Philosophies.- 15 Watershed Manager's View.- 16 Modeler's View.- 17 Programmer's View.- Conclusions.- References.
Summary
Simulation models enable land and watershed managers to make precise, authoritative determinations about the affects of various changes on the environment over time. This book discusses the role of modeling in the management process and gives an overview of state-of-the-art modeling applications. The first chapters provide background on the benefits and costs of modeling and on the ecological basis of models, using historical applications as examples. The second section of the book describes the latest models from a wide selection of environmental disciplines. Since management frequently requires the integration of knowledge from many different areas, both single discipline and multidiscipline models are discussed in detail. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the issues and alternatives in choosing, applying, and evaluating models. Land and watershed managers as well as students of forestry, park management, regional planing and agriculture will find this book a thorough and practical introduction to all aspects of modeling.
