Integrated Regional Models: Interactions Between Humans and Their Environment - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0412048116 ISBN 13: 9780412048111

Publisher: Chapman and Hall, 1994

Synopsis

Integrated regional models are conceptual and mathematical models that describe the physical environment, biological interactions, human decision-making, and human impact on the environment. Efforts are now being made to integrate regional models from the physical, biological and social sciences in order to respond to diverse environmental problems. This volume explores the latest research developments on processes operating at a variety of scales, including regions, and how scientists can combine their efforts to develop models linking biological, physical, and human systems. Data requirements for successful integrated regional models are identified and discussed. Chapters also consider methodological questions, such as whether to integrate disciplinary approaches at the beginning or the end of the modelling process, and whether integrated regional models should focus on specific regions or specific problems. The information in this volume will enable the reader to view problems such as coastal zone management, atmospheric pollution, non-point source pollution, commodity production in forested areas, and urban expansion in a broad, conceptual context. Researchers and graduate students in ecology, biology, geography and geology will benefit from this innovative approach to contemporary environmental problems.

About this title

Synopsis

Integrated regional models are conceptual and mathematically based models that include mathematical descriptions of the physical environment, biological interactions, and human decision-making and its consequences. Regional models now exist within various disciplines: atmospheric sciences, ecology, and social sciences. Efforts are now being made to couple these discipline-limited models in order to respond to a variety of contemporary environmental problems. Despite the contemporary concern about global change, a large number of scientific and policy issues are implemented at regional scales - local jurisdictions, watersheds, and agricultural production regions are examples. Problems which require integrated analysis include coastal zone management, regional atmospheric chemistry and pollution, non-point source pollution, commodity production in forested landscapes, and urban spread. These provide the context for political decision making on environmental issues.

"Integrated Regional Models" brings together physical, biological and social scientists to review the current status of knowledge of processes operating at a variety of scales, including regions; to advance the development of regional models; and to identify the steps that will lead to models which will link biological, physical, and human systems. It identifies the requirements for the data which are necessary for the construction of successful IRMs. It should appeal to researchers and graduate students interested in large-scale ecological questions, landscape ecologists, those concerned with land use planning and the interactions between urban and rural or wilderness areas, and geographers. This book should be of interest to ecologists; environmental managers and regulators; physical geographers and urban planners; researchers and graduate students interested in large-scale ecological questions; landscape ecologists; and land use planners and managers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chapman and Hall
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0412048116
• ISBN 13: 9780412048111
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176
• Editor: Groffman P., Likens Gene E.