Landscape Simulation Modeling:: A Spatially Explicit, Dynamic Approach (Modeling Dynamic Systems) [Hardcover]

Robert Costanza (Editor), Alexey Voinov (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387008357 | ISBN-13: 978-0387008356 | Publication Date: October 31, 2003 | Edition: 1

When managers and ecologists need to make decisions about the environment, they use models to simulate the dynamic systems that interest them. All management decisions affect certain landscapes over time, and those landscapes are composed of intricate webs of dynamic processes that need to be considered in relation to each other. With widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), there is a growing need for complex models corporating an increasing amount of data. The open-source Spatial Modeling Environment (SME) was developed to build upon common modeling software, such as STELLA (R), and Powersim (R), among others, to create, run, analyze, and present spatial models of ecosystems, watersheds, populations, and landscapes. In this book, the creators of the Spatial Modeling Environment discuss and illustrate the uses of SME as a modeling tool for all kinds of complex spatial systems. The authors demonstrate the entire process of spatial modeling, beginning with the conceptual design, continuing through formal implementation and analysis, and finally with the interpretation and presentation of the results. A variety of applications and case studies address particular types of ecological and management problems and help to identify potential problems for modelers. Researchers and students interested in spatial modeling will learn how to simulate the complex dynamics of landscapes. Managers and decision makers will acquire tools for predicting changes in landscapes while learning about both the possibilities and the limitations of simulation models.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This book is a much-needed addition to the geospatial modeling literature, providing theoretical and practical information … . this is a valuable contribution to the literature on dynamic spatial modeling in particular, and integrated land-change research in general. … The clearly articulated unifying theme … and the fact that all the case studies utilize the same software, make for a well-constructed, compelling, informative, and interesting read. I will certainly evaluate this approach and program for my own work." (Maggi Kelly, Environment and Planning, Vol. 32 (2), 2005) "Landscape Simulation Modeling … makes a significant contribution by directly incorporating space into existing simulation modeling approaches for a greater understanding of landscape systems. … this is an excellent book. The content is comprehensive and the text written in a simple and clear style … . the book will also appeal to many multidisciplinary practitioners … . This book should be a required reading for anyone interested either casually or deeply in the design and implementation of spatial simulation models … ." (Shivanand Balram, Suzana Dragicevic, Ecological Economics, Vol. 52 (1), 2005)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 343 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (October 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387008357
• ISBN-13: 978-0387008356
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,032,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)