tion. Whatever the technology, the objective for this aspect of toolkit
development is summarization of model results in a manner that contributes to informed decision making and environmental management.
11.6 Summary and Recommendations
An environmental modeling toolkit could assume various forms and range
in complexity from a localized collection of existing models to a globally
distributed, interactive, intelligent decision support system. Several government agencies have already organized their modeling and data-handling
capabilities. These existing capabilities should be examined in relation to
developing new toolkits to support environmental management by other
agencies, organizations, and managers. Criteria have been developed for the
systematic evaluation of ecological and environmental models that might
be included in toolkits [e.g., Pastorok et al.(2001)]. These criteria should
reviewed for possible use in identifying existing models for inclusion in the
toolkit.
The technical components of a toolkit envisioned as an interactive modeling and decision support system already exist. Even while technologies
continue to evolve and advance, current capabilities in computer hardware
and software need only be integrated into an operational environmental
modeling and decision support system. The beginnings of these kinds of
systems also exist (e.g., USEPA BASINS) and should be evaluated for their
relevance in the design and implementation of the toolkit concept.
References
Ault, J.S. and W.W. Fox, Jr. 1989. FINMAN: Simulated decision analysis with multiple objectives. American Fisheries Society Symposium 6:166–179.
Barnthouse, L.W. 1992. The role of models in ecological risk assessment: A 1990’s
perspective. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 11:1751–1760.
Barnthouse, L.W., R.V. O’Neill, S.M. Bartell, and G.W. Suter II. 1986. Population and
ecosystem theory in ecological risk assessment. Pages 82–96 in T.M. Poston and
R. Purdy, editors. Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental Fate. Volume 9. Report
STP 921. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
USA.
Brown, L.C. and T.O. Barnwell. Jr. 1987. The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model
QUAL2E and QUAL-UNCAS: Documentation and User Manual. EPA/600/
3-87/007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Burns, L.A. 1986. Validation methods for chemical exposure and hazard assessment
models. Pages 148–172 in Environmental Modeling for Priority Setting Among
Existing Chemicals. EcoMed, Munich, Germany.
Campbell, K.R. and S.M. Bartell. 1998. Ecological models and ecological risk assessment. Pages 69–100 in M.C. Newman and C.L. Strojan, editors. Risk Assessment:
Logic and Management. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan, USA.
11. Effective Use of Ecological Modeling: The Toolkit Concept
219
development is summarization of model results in a manner that contributes to informed decision making and environmental management.
11.6 Summary and Recommendations
An environmental modeling toolkit could assume various forms and range
in complexity from a localized collection of existing models to a globally
distributed, interactive, intelligent decision support system. Several government agencies have already organized their modeling and data-handling
capabilities. These existing capabilities should be examined in relation to
developing new toolkits to support environmental management by other
agencies, organizations, and managers. Criteria have been developed for the
systematic evaluation of ecological and environmental models that might
be included in toolkits [e.g., Pastorok et al.(2001)]. These criteria should
reviewed for possible use in identifying existing models for inclusion in the
toolkit.
The technical components of a toolkit envisioned as an interactive modeling and decision support system already exist. Even while technologies
continue to evolve and advance, current capabilities in computer hardware
and software need only be integrated into an operational environmental
modeling and decision support system. The beginnings of these kinds of
systems also exist (e.g., USEPA BASINS) and should be evaluated for their
relevance in the design and implementation of the toolkit concept.
References
Ault, J.S. and W.W. Fox, Jr. 1989. FINMAN: Simulated decision analysis with multiple objectives. American Fisheries Society Symposium 6:166–179.
Barnthouse, L.W. 1992. The role of models in ecological risk assessment: A 1990’s
perspective. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 11:1751–1760.
Barnthouse, L.W., R.V. O’Neill, S.M. Bartell, and G.W. Suter II. 1986. Population and
ecosystem theory in ecological risk assessment. Pages 82–96 in T.M. Poston and
R. Purdy, editors. Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental Fate. Volume 9. Report
STP 921. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
USA.
Brown, L.C. and T.O. Barnwell. Jr. 1987. The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model
QUAL2E and QUAL-UNCAS: Documentation and User Manual. EPA/600/
3-87/007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Burns, L.A. 1986. Validation methods for chemical exposure and hazard assessment
models. Pages 148–172 in Environmental Modeling for Priority Setting Among
Existing Chemicals. EcoMed, Munich, Germany.
Campbell, K.R. and S.M. Bartell. 1998. Ecological models and ecological risk assessment. Pages 69–100 in M.C. Newman and C.L. Strojan, editors. Risk Assessment:
Logic and Management. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan, USA.
11. Effective Use of Ecological Modeling: The Toolkit Concept
219