Fundamentals of Ecological Modelling

Part 1 Introduction: physical and mathematical models; models as management tool; models as scientific tool; models and holism; the ecosystem as an object for research. Part 2 Concept of modelling: modelling elements; the modelling procedure; types of models; selection of model complexity and structure; verification; sensitivity analysis; parameter estimation; validation; ecological modelling and quantum theory; modelling constraints; computer and ecological modelling; the development of ecological and environmental models. Part 3 Ecological modelling, submodels: physical processes; chemical processes; photosynthesis; production at secondary and higher trophic levels; growth equations; decomposition; settling. Part 4 Conceptual models: application of conceptual diagrams; types of conceptual diagrams; the conceptual diagram as modelling tool. Part 5 Modelling in practice: state of the art in application of models; how to find the right, balanced complexity of a model?; how do we find the proper equations for description of the processes?; how do we find the parameters?. Part 6 Static models: application of static models; input/output environ analysis; presentation of ECOPATH; response models. Part 7 Modelling population dynamics: basic concepts; growth models in population dynamics; interaction between populations; matrix models; harvest models. Part 8 Dynamic biogeochemical models of aquatic ecosystems: application of dynamic models; BOD/DO models; application of hydrodynamics in biogeochemical models; eutrophication models I - overview and simple eutrophication models; eutrophication models II - complex eutrophication models; wetland models. Part 9 Biogeochemical models in ecotoxicology: characteristic features and classification of ecotoxicological models; an overview - the application of models; ecotoxicological processes; parameter estimation; ecotoxicological case studies I - modelling the distribution of chromium in a Danish Fjord; ecotoxicological case studies II - contamination of agricultural products by cadmium and lead; ecotoxicological case studies III - a mercury model for Mex Bay, Alexandria; fugacity models; models in toxicology. Part 10 Dynamic biogeochemical models of atmospheric pollution: general considerations on modelling air pollution; basic equations for long range transport models of air pollution; models of the distribution and effect of acidic rain; inclusion of vertical transport in air pollution models; models of air chemistry; plume dispersion models. Part 11 Dynamic biogeochemical models of terrestrial ecosystems: general considerations on modelling terrestrial ecosystems; presentation of a soil-plant model; crop models; soil models for transport and fate of chemicals in the unsaturated zone. Part 12 Application of ecological models in environmental management: environmental management models; validation of a prognosis, based upon a management model; emergy analysis of Thailand. (Part contents).