lection influences the type of questions that can be addressed. They
provide an impetus for the development of certain kinds of technologies.
• Data issues—This topic considers how information is collected and
what kind of information (at what scale of temporal or spatial resolution) is needed to go into models, what type of information is output
from models, how it is communicated to decision makers, how the decision makers use the information, and what type of information is
important to them. These chapters discuss the flow of information all
the way from the field situation to how it is used by managers. They
also evaluate the ways in which uncertainties and variation are considered at various stages in the process. The topic has some overlap
with the toolkit discussion, for toolkits are one way in which models
can improve the flow of information.
• The toolkit concept—This pair of chapters considers how a set of
modeling tools might be pooled to facilitate the use of ecological models
for management.It discusses such concepts as how modules are built and
combined,how visualization tools can aid understanding and expression,
and what kind of information should go into a toolkit. It also evaluates
how models are combined in a meaningful way, for the toolkit approach
has implications for the types of science questions that can be addressed.
• Science and management investments needed to enhance the use of
ecological modeling and decision making—Where is science investment
needed to enhance the use of ecological modeling in management? This
pair of chapters evaluates the current state of the science and what kinds
of scientific questions are important to address in a modeling framework
in order for models to be more useful for management. It also addresses
how the current and future availability of tools could change the sort of
science that is possible to be addressed in ecological modeling. It considers science investment in terms of experiments, data collection, tools,
and what questions need to be addressed.
The last section of the book deals with the future use of models for
environmental management. In one chapter, models are discussed as a key
component in providing environmental security for the United States and
the world.The final chapter examines the challenges for the future and what
the next steps may be in model development. It also reviews some of the
questions that existing models are not able to address and other limitations
of current models.
Together, these chapters provide an understanding of the need, basis, and
history of ecological models used for resource management and discuss how
different models can contribute to a better understanding of the effects of
ecological interactions on environmental use and management. It is our
hope that this discussion of the modeling process will increase the use
of models in environmental management and facilitate the discussions
between analysts and decision makers. The ultimate goal, of course, is that
16
Virginia H. Dale
provide an impetus for the development of certain kinds of technologies.
• Data issues—This topic considers how information is collected and
what kind of information (at what scale of temporal or spatial resolution) is needed to go into models, what type of information is output
from models, how it is communicated to decision makers, how the decision makers use the information, and what type of information is
important to them. These chapters discuss the flow of information all
the way from the field situation to how it is used by managers. They
also evaluate the ways in which uncertainties and variation are considered at various stages in the process. The topic has some overlap
with the toolkit discussion, for toolkits are one way in which models
can improve the flow of information.
• The toolkit concept—This pair of chapters considers how a set of
modeling tools might be pooled to facilitate the use of ecological models
for management.It discusses such concepts as how modules are built and
combined,how visualization tools can aid understanding and expression,
and what kind of information should go into a toolkit. It also evaluates
how models are combined in a meaningful way, for the toolkit approach
has implications for the types of science questions that can be addressed.
• Science and management investments needed to enhance the use of
ecological modeling and decision making—Where is science investment
needed to enhance the use of ecological modeling in management? This
pair of chapters evaluates the current state of the science and what kinds
of scientific questions are important to address in a modeling framework
in order for models to be more useful for management. It also addresses
how the current and future availability of tools could change the sort of
science that is possible to be addressed in ecological modeling. It considers science investment in terms of experiments, data collection, tools,
and what questions need to be addressed.
The last section of the book deals with the future use of models for
environmental management. In one chapter, models are discussed as a key
component in providing environmental security for the United States and
the world.The final chapter examines the challenges for the future and what
the next steps may be in model development. It also reviews some of the
questions that existing models are not able to address and other limitations
of current models.
Together, these chapters provide an understanding of the need, basis, and
history of ecological models used for resource management and discuss how
different models can contribute to a better understanding of the effects of
ecological interactions on environmental use and management. It is our
hope that this discussion of the modeling process will increase the use
of models in environmental management and facilitate the discussions
between analysts and decision makers. The ultimate goal, of course, is that
16
Virginia H. Dale