This book will serve as a readable introduction to ecological modeling for people involved in resource management and will also review models for specific applications of interest to more experienced modelers. Successful uses of ecological models as well as discussions of important issues in modeling are addressed. The authors of this volume hope to close the gap between the state of the art in ecological modeling and the state of the practice in the use of models in management decision making.

From the reviews:

"The book gives a superb thumbnail history of ecological modeling. It should be read by all the audiences and, indeed, by anyone interested in ecological modeling. It should be required reading in all graduate and undergraduate modeling courses. All the chapters provide excellent bibliographies. The sum of all 16 bibliographies alone is probably well worth the price of the book, especially for modelers and students of modeling." (Karl Albert Beres, Natural Areas Journal, Vol. 25 (3), 2005)

"This well-edited volume presents a collection of 16 papers resulting from a symposium held at Oak Ridge, Tennessee in October 2000. The main focus is on ecological modelling for the public sector in the USA, especially on the problems of devising and using models for environmental regulation and for the management of public lands. it can be recommended to specialists as a source book." (Bulletin of the British Ecological Society, Vol. 34 (4), 2003)

Klappentext
With the use of ecological models, managers and decision makers can make sure that the ecological systems affected by their decisions are accurately represented. Unfortunately, the most relevant ecological science and modeling techniques are often not used because managers are not familiar with them or find them inappropriate for their circumstances. The authors of this volume hope to close the gap between the state of the art in ecological modeling and the state of the practice in the use of models as decision-making tools. It will serve as a readable introduction to modeling for people involved in resource management and will also review specific applications of interest to more experienced modelers. The first chapters detail several successful uses of ecological models in resource management. There are then five pairs of chapters addressing important issues in ecological modeling, including barriers to the use of modeling in decision making, evolving approaches in the field, effective use of data, the toolkit approach to management, and the various scientific and technological investments required for productive modeling. Ecologists and other scientists will learn how best to focus their research for practical, real-world applications, and resource managers and other practitioners will learn the most appropriate methods of understanding dynamic processes and making projections about the implications of their decisions. TOC:The Value of Ecological Modeling for Resource Management * Modeling for Endangered Species Recovery: Gray Wolves in the Western Great Lakes Region * Modeling Fish Entrainment and Impingement Impacts: Bridging Science and Policy * Large Scale Regional Assessments: Lessons Learned from the Southern Appalachian Assessment * Overcoming Barriers to the Use of Models in Environmental Decision Making * Barriers to the Use of Ecological Models in Decision Making * Network Approaches to Landscape Conservation * Evolving Approaches and Technologies to Enhance the Role of Ecological Modeling in Decision Making * Data and Information Issues in Modeling for Resource Management Decision Making: Communication is the Key * Effective Ecological Modeling for Use in Management Decisions: Data Issues * Effective Use of Ecological Modeling in Management: the Toolkit Concept * Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management * Science and Management Investments Needed to Enhance the Use of Ecological Modeling in Decision Making * Education Investments in Environmental Science and Management * What in the World Is Worth Fighting for? Using Models for Environmental Security * New Directions

Inhalt
Opportunities for Using Ecological Models for Resource Management.- Examples of Using Ecological Models for Resource Management.- Modeling for Endangered-Species Recovery: Gray Wolves in the Western Great Lakes Region.- Modeling Fish Entrainment and Impingement Impacts: Bridging Science and Policy.- Large-Scale Regional Assessments: Lessons Learned from the Southern Appalachian Assessment.- Key Issues.- Overcoming Barriers to the Use of Models in Environmental Decision Making.- Barriers to the Use of Ecological Models in Decision Making.- Network Theory: An Evolving Approach to Landscape Conservation.- Evolving Approaches and Technologies to Enhance the Role of Ecological Modeling in Decision Making.- Data and Information Issues in Modeling for Resource Management Decision Making: Communication Is the Key.- Effective Ecological Modeling for Use in Management Decisions: Data Issues.- Effective Use of Ecological Modeling in Management: The Toolkit Concept.- Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management.- Science and Management Investments Needed to Enhance the Use of Ecological Modeling in Decision Making.- Educational Investments in Environmental Science and Management.- Finale.- What in the World Is Worth Fighting for? Using Models for Environmental Security.- New Directions in Ecological Modeling for Resource Management.