environmental managers, regulators, and lawyers make decisions and
resolve conflicts. Often, incomplete information must be accepted, and
decisions must be made with the best available information. In cases where
the scientific evidence is incomplete or contradictory, decisions are often
made without scientific input [e.g., as Wiens (1996) found in the aftermath
of the Exxon Valdez oil spill].
This absence of full information does not imply that there is no scientific
value in developing models in ecology. The process of a group of scientists
collaborating and sharing their expertise to develop a simulation model can
be a worthwhile scientific accomplishment, even if a working computer
code is not completed (as occasionally occurs). Development of a simulation model is an integrative, interactive, and iterative process. Simulation
modeling is a powerful process for the synthesis of data, theories, and
opinions over scales of space, time, and biological organization. It also is a
process for creating new insights and questions for new experimental
studies. New insights and questions often emerge even when models in
some sense “fail” to meet the expectations of their developers (Aber 1997).
Nevertheless, the ultimate purpose for many models is to use them in
decision making.
1.5 Organization of Book
The goal of the book is to identify the necessary science and technology
investments and approaches that are required to increase the usefulness of
ecological modeling for management decisions. The primary focus is to
characterize and address the gaps between the state of the art in ecological modeling and the state of the practice in using the outcomes of models
as decision aids for management deliberations. The assumptions underlying
this volume are that (1) ecological modeling offers value to those engaged
in the management of public and private lands, (2) the current use of
models and model results falls short of this potential value, and (3) further
investment will improve the value of ecological models for management
use.
The material in this book is designed to be appropriate for a diverse
audience who want to learn about how models can be useful for environmental management. Students interested in environmental management
will find this book appropriate for critical evaluation of literature and an
introduction into the diversity of types of models available for environmental management. Managers themselves will find this a useful resource
for evaluating the types of tools that are available and for placing the tools
they use into a broader context. Finally, scientists involved in developing
new methods for environmental management will find this book to be a
useful reference for determining the context of their inquiries and for
elucidating questions important to address in environmental management.
14
Virginia H. Dale
resolve conflicts. Often, incomplete information must be accepted, and
decisions must be made with the best available information. In cases where
the scientific evidence is incomplete or contradictory, decisions are often
made without scientific input [e.g., as Wiens (1996) found in the aftermath
of the Exxon Valdez oil spill].
This absence of full information does not imply that there is no scientific
value in developing models in ecology. The process of a group of scientists
collaborating and sharing their expertise to develop a simulation model can
be a worthwhile scientific accomplishment, even if a working computer
code is not completed (as occasionally occurs). Development of a simulation model is an integrative, interactive, and iterative process. Simulation
modeling is a powerful process for the synthesis of data, theories, and
opinions over scales of space, time, and biological organization. It also is a
process for creating new insights and questions for new experimental
studies. New insights and questions often emerge even when models in
some sense “fail” to meet the expectations of their developers (Aber 1997).
Nevertheless, the ultimate purpose for many models is to use them in
decision making.
1.5 Organization of Book
The goal of the book is to identify the necessary science and technology
investments and approaches that are required to increase the usefulness of
ecological modeling for management decisions. The primary focus is to
characterize and address the gaps between the state of the art in ecological modeling and the state of the practice in using the outcomes of models
as decision aids for management deliberations. The assumptions underlying
this volume are that (1) ecological modeling offers value to those engaged
in the management of public and private lands, (2) the current use of
models and model results falls short of this potential value, and (3) further
investment will improve the value of ecological models for management
use.
The material in this book is designed to be appropriate for a diverse
audience who want to learn about how models can be useful for environmental management. Students interested in environmental management
will find this book appropriate for critical evaluation of literature and an
introduction into the diversity of types of models available for environmental management. Managers themselves will find this a useful resource
for evaluating the types of tools that are available and for placing the tools
they use into a broader context. Finally, scientists involved in developing
new methods for environmental management will find this book to be a
useful reference for determining the context of their inquiries and for
elucidating questions important to address in environmental management.
14
Virginia H. Dale