Ebook: Landscape Simulation Modeling: A Spatially Explicit, Dynamic Approach

The world consists of many complex systems, ranging from our own bodies to ecosystems to economic systems. Despite their diversity, complex systems have many structural and functional features in common that can be effectively si- lated using powerful, user-friendly software. As a result, virtually anyone can - plore the nature of complex systems and their dynamical behavior under a range of assumptions and conditions. This ability to model dynamic systems is already having a powerful influence on teaching and studying complexity. The books in this series will promote this revolution in “systems thinking” by integrating computational skills of numeracy and techniques of dynamic mod- ing into a variety of disciplines. The unifying theme across the series will be the power and simplicity of the model-building process, and all books are designed to engage the reader in developing their own models for exploration of the dyn- ics of systems that are of interest to them. Modeling Dynamic Systems does not endorse any particular modeling paradigm or software. Rather, the volumes in the series will emphasize simplicity of lea- ing, expressive power, and the speed of execution as priorities that will facilitate deeper system understanding.

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When managers and ecologists need to make decisions about the environment, they use models to simulate the dynamic systems that interest them. All management decisions affect certain landscapes over time, and those landscapes are composed of intricate webs of dynamic processes that need to be considered in relation to each other. With widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), there is a growing need for complex models corporating an increasing amount of data. The open-source Spatial Modeling Environment (SME) was developed to build upon common modeling software, such as STELLA (R), and Powersim (R), among others, to create, run, analyze, and present spatial models of ecosystems, watersheds, populations, and landscapes. In this book, the creators of the Spatial Modeling Environment discuss and illustrate the uses of SME as a modeling tool for all kinds of complex spatial systems. The authors demonstrate the entire process of spatial modeling, beginning with the conceptual design, continuing through formal implementation and analysis, and finally with the interpretation and presentation of the results. A variety of applications and case studies address particular types of ecological and management problems and help to identify potential problems for modelers. Researchers and students interested in spatial modeling will learn how to simulate the complex dynamics of landscapes. Managers and decision makers will acquire tools for predicting changes in landscapes while learning about both the possibilities and the limitations of simulation models.

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When managers and ecologists need to make decisions about the environment, they use models to simulate the dynamic systems that interest them. All management decisions affect certain landscapes over time, and those landscapes are composed of intricate webs of dynamic processes that need to be considered in relation to each other. With widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), there is a growing need for complex models corporating an increasing amount of data. The open-source Spatial Modeling Environment (SME) was developed to build upon common modeling software, such as STELLA (R), and Powersim (R), among others, to create, run, analyze, and present spatial models of ecosystems, watersheds, populations, and landscapes. In this book, the creators of the Spatial Modeling Environment discuss and illustrate the uses of SME as a modeling tool for all kinds of complex spatial systems. The authors demonstrate the entire process of spatial modeling, beginning with the conceptual design, continuing through formal implementation and analysis, and finally with the interpretation and presentation of the results. A variety of applications and case studies address particular types of ecological and management problems and help to identify potential problems for modelers. Researchers and students interested in spatial modeling will learn how to simulate the complex dynamics of landscapes. Managers and decision makers will acquire tools for predicting changes in landscapes while learning about both the possibilities and the limitations of simulation models.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction: Spatially Explicit Landscape Simulation Models....Pages 3-20
Spatial Simulation Using the SME....Pages 21-42
Modular Ecosystem Modeling....Pages 43-76
Calibration of Large Spatial Models: A Multistage, Multiobjective Optimization Technique....Pages 77-116
Front Matter....Pages 118-118
Habitat Changes in the Mississippi Delta: Future Scenarios and Alternatives....Pages 119-142
Development and Application of the Everglades Landscape Model....Pages 143-171
Spatial Modeling of Eelgrass Distribution in Great Bay, New Hampshire....Pages 173-196
Patuxent Landscape Model: Integrated Modeling of a Watershed....Pages 197-232
The Fort Hood Avian Simulation Model-V: A Spatially Explicit Population Viability Model for Two Endangered Species....Pages 233-247
Simulating Land Use Alternatives and Their Impacts on a Desert Tortoise Population in the Mojave Desert, California....Pages 249-273
A Dynamic Model of the Spatial Spread of an Infectious Disease: The Case of Fox Rabies in Illinois....Pages 275-300
Landscape Optimization: Applications of a Spatial Ecosystem Model....Pages 301-326
Back Matter....Pages 327-330

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When managers and ecologists need to make decisions about the environment, they use models to simulate the dynamic systems that interest them. All management decisions affect certain landscapes over time, and those landscapes are composed of intricate webs of dynamic processes that need to be considered in relation to each other. With widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), there is a growing need for complex models corporating an increasing amount of data. The open-source Spatial Modeling Environment (SME) was developed to build upon common modeling software, such as STELLA (R), and Powersim (R), among others, to create, run, analyze, and present spatial models of ecosystems, watersheds, populations, and landscapes. In this book, the creators of the Spatial Modeling Environment discuss and illustrate the uses of SME as a modeling tool for all kinds of complex spatial systems. The authors demonstrate the entire process of spatial modeling, beginning with the conceptual design, continuing through formal implementation and analysis, and finally with the interpretation and presentation of the results. A variety of applications and case studies address particular types of ecological and management problems and help to identify potential problems for modelers. Researchers and students interested in spatial modeling will learn how to simulate the complex dynamics of landscapes. Managers and decision makers will acquire tools for predicting changes in landscapes while learning about both the possibilities and the limitations of simulation models.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction: Spatially Explicit Landscape Simulation Models....Pages 3-20
Spatial Simulation Using the SME....Pages 21-42
Modular Ecosystem Modeling....Pages 43-76
Calibration of Large Spatial Models: A Multistage, Multiobjective Optimization Technique....Pages 77-116
Front Matter....Pages 118-118
Habitat Changes in the Mississippi Delta: Future Scenarios and Alternatives....Pages 119-142
Development and Application of the Everglades Landscape Model....Pages 143-171
Spatial Modeling of Eelgrass Distribution in Great Bay, New Hampshire....Pages 173-196
Patuxent Landscape Model: Integrated Modeling of a Watershed....Pages 197-232
The Fort Hood Avian Simulation Model-V: A Spatially Explicit Population Viability Model for Two Endangered Species....Pages 233-247
Simulating Land Use Alternatives and Their Impacts on a Desert Tortoise Population in the Mojave Desert, California....Pages 249-273
A Dynamic Model of the Spatial Spread of an Infectious Disease: The Case of Fox Rabies in Illinois....Pages 275-300
Landscape Optimization: Applications of a Spatial Ecosystem Model....Pages 301-326
Back Matter....Pages 327-330
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