Book Description

Here, the author provides professionals in environmental research and management with the information they need with respect to computer modeling: An understanding of the mathematical fundamentals and the choice of the optimal approach and corresponding software for their particular task. - Numerous illustrations, flowcharts and graphs, partly in color, as well as worked examples help in comprehending complex mathematical tasks and their solutions without the use of confusing mathematical formalism; - Case studies from various fields of environmental research, such as landscape ecology, environmental assessment, population ecology, hydrology, and agroecology, facilitate the application of simulation models to the solution of real-world problems; - Contains a detailed summary of currently available software tools and the application in spatially explicit simulation based on geographic information systems. The worked examples and case studies cover a broad range of environmental systems and processes, adopting such modern mathematical methodology as partial differential equations, fuzzy logic, hybrid Petri nets, and optimum control theory. The result is a unique presentation of applications for high standard modeling and simulation methodologies in the interdisciplinary fields of environmental research. From the Foreword by Robert Costanza (Gund Institute of Ecological Economics, Burlington, VT, USA): "As a teacher of environmental modeling, I've been searching for many years for the perfect text to use courses. My search has ended with the publication of Ralf Seppelt's book and I intend to use it as a core text in modeling courses."