Ecological Modeling: A Common-Sense Approach to Theory and Practice - Softcover

Grant, William E.; Swannack, Todd M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140516168X ISBN 13: 9781405161688

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007

Synopsis

Ecological Modeling:A Commonsense Approach to Theory and Practice explores how simulation modeling and its new ecological applications can offer solutions to complex natural resource management problems. This is a practical guide for students, teachers, and professional ecologists.

• Examines four phases of the modeling process: conceptual model formulation, quantitative model specification, model evaluation, and model use
• Provides useful building blocks for constructing systems simulation models
• Includes a format for reporting the development and use of simulation models
• Offers an integrated systems perspective for students, faculty, and professionals
• Features helpful insights from the author, gained over 30 years of university teaching

"I can strongly recommend the book as textbook for all courses in population dynamic modeling particularly when the course is planned for the second or third year of a bachelor study in ecology, environmental science or ecological engineering. It uncovers very clearly for the readers the scientific idea and thinking behind modeling and all the necessary steps in the development of models."
Ecological Modeling Journal, 2009

About this title

About the Author

Bill Grant has taught ecological modeling in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (WFSC) at Texas A&M University since 1976, has served on the Board of Governors and as President of the International Society for Ecological Modeling, and has been Associate Editor of the international journal Ecological Modelling since 1997.

Todd Swannack also has taught ecological modeling in WFSC at Texas A&M University, and has been modeling the population dynamics of endangered species since 2002.

From the Back Cover

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.

The coauthors infuse the text with complimentary perspectives from the first (Grant) and most recent (Swannack) generations of ecological modelers.

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.

The coauthors infuse the text with complimentary perspectives from the first (Grant) and most recent (Swannack) generations of ecological modelers.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 140516168X
• ISBN 13: 9781405161688
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 175