It may prove daunting to identify and examine the models in any meaningful way for inclusion in the toolkit. Nevertheless, a recent survey and
evaluation of ecological models by the Chemical Manufacturers Association identified and examined more than 100 models and determined their
relevance for assessing ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals (Pastorok
et al. 2001). Specific criteria were defined, and each model was examined in
light of those criteria. The criteria are:
• Realism—Accuracy and comprehensiveness of the biology, ecology, and
environmental processes included in the model;
• Relevance—Applicability of the model objectives and outputs for
assessing ecological risk;
• Flexibility—Feasibility of applying the model to different problems and
locations;
• Uncertainty analysis—Whether or not the model is conducive to sensitivity and uncertainty analysis;
• Degree of development—General acceptance of the model by the scientific community;
• Parameter estimation—Number of model parameters and the feasibility
of their accurate estimation;
• Regulatory acceptance—Adoption of the model for use by a regulatory
agency;
• Credibility—Adequate comparisons of model results to data; and
• Resource requirements—Level of effort required to implement the model
These or similar criteria could be used to identify and evaluate ecological and environmental models for inclusion in the toolkit. Criteria for model
evaluation and model selection might vary in relation to specific management objectives.
Ecological and environmental models have proven useful for various
environmental management issues and challenges (Table 11.1). Major
motivations for the toolkit concept include the desire to increase the use of
models in environmental management where models are already used and
to introduce models into management where models have not historically
been used.
If the toolkit is conceived as becoming highly integrative and interactive
in decision support, technologies that facilitate these features will have to
be identified, as well (Table 11.2). Such an interactive toolkit would include
state-of-the-art computer hardware and software technologies that would
facilitate the design and implementation of ecological and environmental
models. These tools would also provide for the presentation, analysis, and
visualization of model results. This concept of the toolkit would both
describe and convey the modeling results to the decision-making process.
The continuing evolution of object-oriented programming and the Internet
afford an opportunity for the development of the toolkit as a highly distributed network (e.g., national or international).
11. Effective Use of Ecological Modeling: The Toolkit Concept
215
evaluation of ecological models by the Chemical Manufacturers Association identified and examined more than 100 models and determined their
relevance for assessing ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals (Pastorok
et al. 2001). Specific criteria were defined, and each model was examined in
light of those criteria. The criteria are:
• Realism—Accuracy and comprehensiveness of the biology, ecology, and
environmental processes included in the model;
• Relevance—Applicability of the model objectives and outputs for
assessing ecological risk;
• Flexibility—Feasibility of applying the model to different problems and
locations;
• Uncertainty analysis—Whether or not the model is conducive to sensitivity and uncertainty analysis;
• Degree of development—General acceptance of the model by the scientific community;
• Parameter estimation—Number of model parameters and the feasibility
of their accurate estimation;
• Regulatory acceptance—Adoption of the model for use by a regulatory
agency;
• Credibility—Adequate comparisons of model results to data; and
• Resource requirements—Level of effort required to implement the model
These or similar criteria could be used to identify and evaluate ecological and environmental models for inclusion in the toolkit. Criteria for model
evaluation and model selection might vary in relation to specific management objectives.
Ecological and environmental models have proven useful for various
environmental management issues and challenges (Table 11.1). Major
motivations for the toolkit concept include the desire to increase the use of
models in environmental management where models are already used and
to introduce models into management where models have not historically
been used.
If the toolkit is conceived as becoming highly integrative and interactive
in decision support, technologies that facilitate these features will have to
be identified, as well (Table 11.2). Such an interactive toolkit would include
state-of-the-art computer hardware and software technologies that would
facilitate the design and implementation of ecological and environmental
models. These tools would also provide for the presentation, analysis, and
visualization of model results. This concept of the toolkit would both
describe and convey the modeling results to the decision-making process.
The continuing evolution of object-oriented programming and the Internet
afford an opportunity for the development of the toolkit as a highly distributed network (e.g., national or international).
11. Effective Use of Ecological Modeling: The Toolkit Concept
215