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RECORD NUMBER: 30 OF 168

Main Title Ecological modeling : a common-sense approach to theory and practice /
Author Grant, William E.
Other Authors
Author Title of a Work
Swannack, Todd M.
Publisher Blackwell Pub.,
Year Published 2008
OCLC Number 137325186
ISBN 140516168X (pbk. : alk. paper); 9781405161688 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Subjects Ecology--Mathematical models ; Mathematisches Modell ; èOkosystem
Internet Access
Description Access URL
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0803/2007022239-b.html
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0803/2007022239-d.html
Contributor biographical information http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0803/2007022239-b.html
Publisher description http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0803/2007022239-d.html
Table of contents http://digitool.hbz-nrw.de:1801/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=3013343
Cover http://swbplus.bsz-bw.de/bsz274087847cov.htm
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
Modified
Checkout
Status
EKCM  QH541.15.M3G735 2008 CEMM/GEMMD Library/Gulf Breeze,FL 09/14/2010
EKDM  QH541.15.M3G735 2008 CEMM/EPD Library/Athens,GA 01/23/2013 STATUS
Collation xii, 155 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (p. [131]-132) and index.
Contents Notes
Introduction -- Common sense solutions: three exercises -- Modeling theory -- Modeling practice -- Theory, practice, and common sense -- Intended use of this book -- Common sense solutions -- Three problems -- Harvesting Ffod for the winter -- Estimating the probability of population extinction -- Managing the commons -- The systems approach to problem solving -- The conceptual model (Phase I) -- The quantitative model (Phase II) -- Model evaluation (Phase IIII) -- Model application (Phase IV) -- The three problems revisited: the systems approach In theory and practice -- Theory I: the conceptual model -- State the model objectives (Ia) -- Bound the system-of-interest (Ib) -- Categorize the components within the system-of-interest (Ic) -- State variables -- Material transfers -- Sources and sinks -- Information transfers -- Driving variables -- Constants -- Auxiliary variables -- Identify the relationships among the components that are of interest (Id) -- Submodels -- Represent the conceptual model (Ie) -- Conceptual-model diagrams -- Describe the expected patterns of model behavior (If) -- Theory II: the quantitative model -- Select the general quantitative structure for the model (IIa) -- Choose the basic time unit for the simulations (IIb) -- Identify the functional forms of the model equations (IIc) -- Information on which to base the choice of functional forms -- Selecting types of equations to represent the chosen functional forms -- Estimate the parameters of the model equations (IId) -- statistical analyses within the context of simulation model parameterization -- Quantifying qualitative information -- Deterministic-versus stochastic-model parameterization -- Execute the baseline simulation (IIe) -- Baseline simulations for stochastic models -- Theory III: model evaluation -- Assess the reasonableness of the model structure and the interpretability of functional relationships within the model (IIIa) -- Evaluate the correspondence between model behavior and the expected patterns of model behavior (IIIb) -- Examine the correspondence between model projections and the data from the real system (IIIc) -- Quantitative versus qualitative model evaluation -- Determine the sensitivity of model projections to changes in the values of important parameters (IIId) -- Interpreting sensitivity analysis within a model evaluation framework -- Theory IV: model application -- Develop and execute the experimental design for the simulations (IVa) -- Analyze and interpret the simulation results (IVb) -- Communicate the simulation results (IVc) -- Some common pitfalls -- Phase I pitfalls: the conceptual model -- Phase II pitfalls: the quantitative model -- Phase III pitfalls: model evaluation -- Phase IV pitfalls: model application -- The modeling process in practice -- Preliminary conceptual model (CM) -- How to begin -- Adding new components to the model -- Describing expected patterns -- Describing the plan of attack -- Intermediate development models (IDMi) -- Evaluate-adjust cycle for each developmental model -- Sensitivity analysis of the last developmental model -- Final model (FM) -- The common-sense problems revisited -- Harvesting food for the winter -- The preliminary conceptual model (CM) -- The last (only) intermediate development model (IDMlast) -- The final model (FM) -- Estimating the probability of population extinction -- The preliminary conceptual model (CM) -- The intermediate development models (IDMi) -- The final model (FM) -- Reflections -- The systems approach as a complement to other methods of problem solving -- Ecological modeling as a problem-solving process -- Expectations for ecological models -- A final thought. "Ecological Modeling: A Common-Sense Approach to Theory and Practice is a down-to-earth guide for students, teachers, and professional ecologists." "The text candidly addresses the question "What do I really need to know to begin building and using ecological models in a responsible manner?" In addition to providing a common-sense introduction to the basic principles of systems modeling, the authors suggest a practical strategy for dealing with pitfalls commonly encountered during model development. The ties between theory and practice, which beginning modelers often find so elusive, are demystified via the step-by-step development of three models representing ecological systems of increasing complexity."--Jacket.