for different species. In this approach, coordinating temporal and spatial
scales and resolutions will be an important research issue.
Integration may also involve several models of the same type. For
example, linking habitat-based models for a set of several target species
allows decision making in a multispecies context.A simple approach to such
multispecies modeling involves combining habitat requirements of a set of
target species and weighting the habitat suitability with ecological risk or
status.
13.2.4 Developing New, Case-Specific Models
In most cases, an existing model is suitable to address the management
question. In some cases, however, new model development is required.
Such requirements can often be met by the integration of existing types of
models, as discussed above. In rare cases, the management question may
require a completely new approach to modeling.
One misconception about creating new models is that they are more
transparent. In general, there is no relationship between the transparency
of a model and its age. Some existing, generic models are very transparent,
with detailed documentation of the equations and algorithms used and
several papers describing applications of the model. New models created
for a specific case can sometimes be “black boxes,” because of their
complexity and because resources are often not available for developing
detailed manuals and other documentation.
The major advantage of developing entirely new models lies in enabling future scientific advances rather than addressing immediate management issues. Obviously, many management questions would benefit from
advances in modeling in particular and ecology in general. Thus, creating
new models should not be ignored. However, given a management issue,
it makes sense to first review if an existing model can address the issue.
Such an approach would prevent a lot of costly duplication of modeling
effort.
13.3 Investment for Enhancing Model Use
Making research investments to enhance the use of ecological models
involves three decisions (represented by the diamond-shaped boxes in
Figure 13.1). The first decision is between research and training. We believe
investment in training and education gives the most return in the short
term. As discussed above, training and education may take different forms
depending on the target audience. For educating managers in the use of
models, we believe a one-day workshop format is the most suitable. For
training technical staff and researchers, the most cost efficient is Internetbased, asynchronous teaching supplemented by two-way communication
256
Lev Ginzburg and H. Resit Akçakaya
scales and resolutions will be an important research issue.
Integration may also involve several models of the same type. For
example, linking habitat-based models for a set of several target species
allows decision making in a multispecies context.A simple approach to such
multispecies modeling involves combining habitat requirements of a set of
target species and weighting the habitat suitability with ecological risk or
status.
13.2.4 Developing New, Case-Specific Models
In most cases, an existing model is suitable to address the management
question. In some cases, however, new model development is required.
Such requirements can often be met by the integration of existing types of
models, as discussed above. In rare cases, the management question may
require a completely new approach to modeling.
One misconception about creating new models is that they are more
transparent. In general, there is no relationship between the transparency
of a model and its age. Some existing, generic models are very transparent,
with detailed documentation of the equations and algorithms used and
several papers describing applications of the model. New models created
for a specific case can sometimes be “black boxes,” because of their
complexity and because resources are often not available for developing
detailed manuals and other documentation.
The major advantage of developing entirely new models lies in enabling future scientific advances rather than addressing immediate management issues. Obviously, many management questions would benefit from
advances in modeling in particular and ecology in general. Thus, creating
new models should not be ignored. However, given a management issue,
it makes sense to first review if an existing model can address the issue.
Such an approach would prevent a lot of costly duplication of modeling
effort.
13.3 Investment for Enhancing Model Use
Making research investments to enhance the use of ecological models
involves three decisions (represented by the diamond-shaped boxes in
Figure 13.1). The first decision is between research and training. We believe
investment in training and education gives the most return in the short
term. As discussed above, training and education may take different forms
depending on the target audience. For educating managers in the use of
models, we believe a one-day workshop format is the most suitable. For
training technical staff and researchers, the most cost efficient is Internetbased, asynchronous teaching supplemented by two-way communication
256
Lev Ginzburg and H. Resit Akçakaya