Models in Ecosystem Science

Published by Princeton University Press 2004

Models in Ecosystem Science

Edited by: Charles D. Canham , Jonathan J. Cole and William K. Lauenroth

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691228846

Overview
Contents

About this book

Quantitative models are crucial to almost every area of ecosystem science. They provide a logical structure that guides and informs empirical observations of ecosystem processes. They play a particularly crucial role in synthesizing and integrating our understanding of the immense diversity of ecosystem structure and function. Increasingly, models are being called on to predict the effects of human actions on natural ecosystems. Despite the widespread use of models, there exists intense debate within the field over a wide range of practical and philosophical issues pertaining to quantitative modeling. This book--which grew out of a gathering of leading experts at the ninth Cary Conference--explores those issues.

The book opens with an overview of the status and role of modeling in ecosystem science, including perspectives on the long-running debate over the appropriate level of complexity in models. This is followed by eight chapters that address the critical issue of evaluating ecosystem models, including methods of addressing uncertainty. Next come several case studies of the role of models in environmental policy and management. A section on the future of modeling in ecosystem science focuses on increasing the use of modeling in undergraduate education and the modeling skills of professionals within the field. The benefits and limitations of predictive (versus observational) models are also considered in detail. Written by stellar contributors, this book grants access to the state of the art and science of ecosystem modeling.

Author / Editor information

Charles D. Canham and Jonathan J. Cole are scientists with the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, which hosted the Cary Conference. William K. Lauenroth is a Professor in the Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship at Colorado State University.

Reviews

"This is an impressive collection of work by an impressive group of leaders in the field. The scholarship is excellent, and the concept is novel. I look forward to using the book in my next modeling class, and I predict that students will really like it!"—James Reynolds, Duke University

"This book is timely and will be of interest and importance to a broad scientific audience. The field of ecosystem science is at a crossroads, and this book goes a long way to educate modelers, empirical researchers, and policymakers alike."—Jed P. Sparks, Cornell University

"In the book, a group of excellent ecologists share with you their experience of working with ecological models, their insights into various modeling issues, and their visions of future directions. . . . Experienced modelers or experimentalists with strong interests in modeling can learn a great deal from this book."---Yiqi Luo, Ecology

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Contributors and Participants Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
1 Models in Ecosystem Science Charles D. Canham, Jonathan J. Cole and William K. Lauenroth Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part 1 The Status and Role of Modeling in Ecosystem Science
2 The Role of Quantitative Models in Science Naomi Oreskes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
3 The Status of Dynamic Quantitative Modeling in Ecolo William K. Lauenroth, Ingrid C. Burke and Joyce K. Berry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	32
4 The Utility of Simple Models in Ecosystem Science Michael L. Pace Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
5 In Praise of Mechanistically Rich Models Donald L. DeAngelis and Wolf M. Mooij Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	63
6 Modeling for Synthesis and Integration: Forests, People, and Riparian Coarse Woody Debris Monica G. Turner Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	83
7 The Role of Models in Prediction for Decision Roger A. Pielke Jr. Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	111
Part II Evaluating Ecosystem Models
8 Propagation and Analysis of Uncertainty in Ecosystem Models Lars Håkanson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
9 Bayesian Approaches in Ecological Analysis and Modeling Kenneth H. Reckhow Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	168
10 Model Validation and Testing: Past Lessons, Present Concerns, Future Prospects Robert H. Gardner and Dean L. Urban Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	184
11 Standards of Practice for Review and Publication of Models: Summary of Discussion John D. Aber, Emily S. Bernhardt, Feike A. Dijkstra, Robert H. Gardner, Kate H. Macneale, William J. Parton, Steward T. A. Pickett, Dean L. Urban and Kathleen C. Weathers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	204
12 The Collision of Hypotheses: What Can Be Learned from Comparisons of Ecosystem Models? Edward B. Rastetter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
13 Evaluating and Testing Models of Terrestrial Biogeochemistry: The Role of Temperature in Controlling Decomposition Ingrid C. Burke, Jason P. Kaye, Suzanne P. Bird, Sonia A. Hall, Rebecca L. McCulley and Gericke L. Sommerville Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
14 Representing Biogeochemical Diversity and Size Spectra in Ecosystem Models of the Ocean Carbon Cycle Robert A. Armstrong Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	254
15 The Mass Balances of Nutrients in Ecosystem Theory and Experiments: Implications for the Coexistence of Species John Pastor Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	272
Part III The Role of Models in Environmental Policy and Management
16 The Role of Models in Ecosystem Management Graham P. Harris, Seth W. Bigelow, Jonathan J. Cole, Helene Cyr, Lorraine L. Janus, Ann P. Kinzig, James F. Kitchell, Gene E. Likens, Kenneth H. Reckhow, Don Scavia, Doris Soto, Lee M. Talbot and Pamela H. Templer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	297
17 The Role of Models in Addressing Critical N Loading to Ecosystems Bridget A. Emmett and Brian Reynolds Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	308
18 The Role of Models in Addressing Coastal Eutrophication Anne E. Giblin and Joseph J. Vallino Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	327
19 Quantitative Models in Ecological Toxicology: Application in Ecological Risk Assessment James T. Oris and A. John Bailer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	344
20 Effects of Plant Invaders on Nutrient Cycling: Using Models to Explore the Link between Invasion and Development of Species Effects Carla M. D’Antonio and Jeffrey D. Corbin Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	363
21 Predicting the Ecosystem Effects of Climate Change Harald K. M. Bugmann Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	385
Part IV The Future of Modeling in Ecosystem Science
22 The Role of Modeling in Undergraduate Education Holly A. Ewing, Kathleen Hogan, Felicia Keesing, Harold K. M. Bugmann, Alan R. Berkowitz, Louis J. Gross, James T. Oris and Justin P. Wright Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	411
23 Increasing Modeling Savvy: Strategies to Advance Quantitative Modeling Skills for Professionals within Ecology Kathtyn L. Cottingham, Darren L. Bade, Zoe G. Cordon, Carla M. D’Antonio, C. Lisa Dent, Stuart E. G. Findlay, William K. Lauenroth, Kathleen M. LoGiudice, Robert S. Stelzer and David L. Stray Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	428
24 The Limits to Models in Ecology Carlos M. Duarte, Jeffrey S. Amthor, Donald L. DeAngelis, Linda A. Joyce, Roxane J. Maranger, Michael L. Pace, John Pastor and Steven W. Running Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	437
Part V Concluding Comments
25 The Need for Fast-and-Frugal Models Stephen R. Carpenter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	453
26 On the Benefits and Limitations of Prediction Ann P. Kinzig Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	461
27 A Community-Wide Investment in Modeling Dean L. Urban Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	466
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	471