This book provides an introduction to modeling concepts and applications that is specifically geared toward the environmental field. Each application treats a particular environmental problem, giving scientific and technical context and then analyzing and designing appropriate modeling approaches. It is suitable for students taking upper-division and graduate courses in environmental science and for environmental professionals seeking an introduction to modeling in their field.

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Inhalt
1 Overview of Environmental Systems.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 An Example of a Simple System.- 1.3 Uses of Systems Models.- 1.4 A Systems Approach to Environmental Problems.- 1.5 Applying Systems Thinking to Environmental Problems.- 1.6 Exercises.- 1.7 Appendix: Getting Around in STELLA®.- 2 Basic Modeling Concepts in Environmental Systems Models.- 2.1 Introduction: Building Blocks for Environmental Systems Models.- 2.2 Behavior Pattern #1: Linear Growth or Decay.- 2.3 Behavior Pattern #2: Exponential Growth or Decay.- 2.4 Behavior Pattern #3: Logistic Growth.- 2.5 Behavior Pattern #4: Overshoot and Collapse.- 2.6 Behavior Pattern #5: Oscillation.- 2.7 Exercises.- 2.8 Suggested Readings.- 3 Strategies for Analyzing and Using Environmental Systems Models.- 3.1 Analyzing a Systems Model: Overview.- 3.2 An Illustrative Model: Infectious Disease Dynamics.- 3.3 Applying the Strategy: Problem Definition.- 3.4 Applying the Strategy: Model Validation.- 3.5 Applying the Strategy: Exploratory Analysis.- 3.6 Applying the Strategy: Case Analysis.- 3.7 Exercises.- 3.8 Suggested Readings.- 3.9 Appendix: Modeling System Perturbations in STELLA®.- 4 Modeling Predator-Prey Systems.- 4.1 The Problem.- 4.2 Background Information.- 4.3 Difference Equations and the Steady-State Solution.- 4.4 Modeling the Dynamic Deer-Wolf System.- 4.5 Exercises.- 4.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- 5 Modeling Surface Water Contamination.- 5.1 The Problem.- 5.2 Background Information.- 5.3 Difference Equations and Relationships.- 5.4 Modeling the Dynamic DO System.- 5.5 Exercises.- 5.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- 6 Matter Cycling in Ecosystems.- 6.1 The Problem.- 6.2 Background Information.- 6.3 Difference Equations and the Steady-State Solution.- 6.4 Modeling the Dynamic Phosphorus System.- 6.5 Exercises.- 6.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- 7 Modeling Mobile Source Air Pollution Inventories.- 7.1 The Problem.- 7.2 Background Information.- 7.3 Difference Equations and Steady-State Solutions.- 7.4 Modeling the Dynamic Mobile Source Emissions System.- 7.5 Exercises.- 7.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- 8 Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming.- 8.1 The Problem.- 8.2 Background Information.- 8.3 Difference Equations.- 8.4 Modeling the Dynamic Greenhouse Gas System.- 8.5 Exercises.- 8.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- 9 Atmospheric Chemistry and Pollution Transport.- 9.1 The Problem.- 9.2 Background Information.- 9.3 Difference Equations and the Steady-State Solution.- 9.4 Modeling the Dynamic Acid Deposition System.- 9.5 Exercises.- 9.6 References Cited and Suggested Readings.- Epilogue.