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Space-time modeling in EPA's Ecosystem Services Research Program
Citation:
WHITE, D. Space-time modeling in EPA's Ecosystem Services Research Program. Presented at Space-time Modeling and Analysis Workshop, Redlands, CA, February 22 - 23, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
The US EPA is conducting a long-term research program on the effects of human actions on ecosystem services.
Description:
The US EPA is conducting a long-term research program on the effects of human actions on ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are defined in this program as “the products of ecological functions or processes that directly or indirectly contribute to human well-being.” Modeling with statistical and process-based simulation methods are an integral part of the program. We are considering several approaches including system dynamics, stakeholder-driven scenario-based assessment, integration of processing and statistical models in a decision support framework, and artificial intelligence-based assessment. All of these approaches may incorporate space-time dynamics. Specific software systems representing these approaches include MIMES (http://www.uvm.edu/giee/mimes/), InVEST (http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/InVEST.html), Envision (http://envision.bioe.orst.edu/), and ARIES (http://ecoinformatics.uvm.edu/aries/). Important modeling issues include space and time scales of supply and demand of ecosystem services, corresponding modeling scales in space and time, level of detail in representation of ecosystem processes, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, and ontologies of ecosystem services to drive models.