Fundamentals of Ecological Modelling

This book is a completely revised version of the 1986 edition. It is considerably expanded and is accompanied by a diskette with modeling programmes. The work presents a general introduction to the rapidly growing field of ecological and environmental modeling. Its aim is to give on the one hand an overview of the field and on the other to teach the reader to develop his own models. These objectives are met by covering the following points: discussion of the modeling procedure in detail and presentation of the development of models step by step; presentation of most model types by use of theory, overview tables on applications, complexity, examples and illustrations; presentation of both simple and complex models; and a ready available software, that contains several small models the reader can use for training in the elementary steps of modeling. Furthermore, the individual chapters can be read independently, which renders it feasible to tailor the book to any course in ecological and environmental modeling.

Table of Contents:
Preface, Second Edition. Acknowledgements. Symbols and Mathematical Notation. Introduction. Physical and mathematical models. Models as management tool. Models as scientific tool. Models and holism. The ecosystem as an object for research. Concept of Modeling. Introduction. Modeling elements. The modeling procedure. Types of models. Selection of model complexity and structure. Verification. Sensitivity analysis. Parameter estimation. Validation. Ecological modeling and quantum theory. Modeling constraints. Computer and ecological modeling. The development of ecological and environmental models. Ecological Modeling, Submodels. Introduction. Physical processes. Chemical processes. Photosynthesis. Production at secondary and higher trophic levels. Growth equations. Decomposition. Settling. Conceptual Models. Introduction. Application of conceptual diagrams. Types of conceptual diagrams. The conceptual diagram as modeling tool. Modeling in Practice. Introduction. State of the art in application of models. How to find the right, balanced complexity of a model? How do we find the proper equations for description of the processes? How do we find the parameters? Static Models. Introduction. Application of static models. Input/output environ analysis. Presentation of ECOPATH. Response models. Modeling Population Dynamics. Introduction. Basic concepts. Growth models in population dynamics. Interaction between populations. Matrix models. Harvest models. Dynamic Biogeochemical Models of Aquatic Ecosystems. Introduction. Application of dynamic models. BOD/DO models. Application of hydrodynamics in biogeochemical models. Eutrophication models I: overview and simple eutrophication models. Eutrophication models II: complex eutrophication models. Wetland models. Biogeochemical Models in Ecotoxicology. Introduction. Characteristic features and classification of ecotoxicological models. An overview: the application of models. Ecotoxicological processes. Parameter estimation. Ecotoxicological case studies I: modeling the distribution of chromium in a Danish Fjord. Ecotoxicological case studies II: contamination of agricultural products by cadmium and lead. Ecotoxicological case studies III: a mercury model for Mex Bay, Alexandria. Fugacity models. Models in toxicology. Dynamic Biogeochemical Models of Atmospheric Pollution. General considerations on modeling air pollution. Basic equations for long range transport models of air pollution. Models of the distribution and effect of acidic rain. Inclusion of vertical transport in air pollution models. Models of air chemistry. Plume dispersion models. Dynamic Biogeochemical Models of Terrestrial Ecosystems. General considerations on modeling terrestrial ecosystems. Presentation of a soil-plant model. Crop models. Soil models for transport and fate of chemicals in the unsaturated zone. Application of Ecological Models in Environmental Management. Introduction. Environmental management models. Validation of a prognosis, based upon a management model. Emergy analysis of Thailand. Simulation of management alternatives in wetland forests. Recent Development in Ecological and Environmental Modeling. Introduction. Ecosystem characteristics. Structural dynamic models. Application of chaos theory in modeling. Application of catastrophe theory in ecological modeling. New approaches in modeling techniques. Appendix 1: Mathematical Tools. (P.E. Hansen). Appendix 2: Illustration of Parameters, That Can Be Found in the Literature. Appendix 3: Parameters for Fugacity Models. Appendix 4: Explanation to Software. References. Index.