Grassland Dynamics : An Ecosystem Simulation Model

John Thornley

ISBN 10: 0851992277 / ISBN 13: 9780851992273

Editore: Cab International Apr 1998, 1998

Riguardo questo articolo

Neuware - The development of computer simulation models is an important growth area in both pure and applied ecology. The opportunity that mathematical models provide to integrate the components of an ecosystem, results in the ability to make quantitative predictions about the future behaviour of that system, or of elements within it. This means that they are powerful tools with wide applications and enormous potential for increasing our understanding of natural systems and our ability to use them in a sustainable way. This book is, almost uniquely, a complete account of one such model, the Hurley Pasture Model, a dynamic, deterministic, mechanistic simulation model for grassland, which has been developed by the author over some twenty years, in collaboration with scientists at several centres. Firstly, the rationale and theoretical elements of this type of model are described. An overview of the Hurley grassland simulator and the derivation and construction of its plant, animal, soil and litter, water, and environment and management components is then given. Next, the model is evaluated by a series of long and short-term dynamic simulations and steady state responses, which demonstrate how predictions can be made about the effects of, for example, climate change or particular regimes of fertilizer application, grazing or cutting. This book will be of great value to grassland agronomists and modellers, crop physiologists and plant ecologists, and to students of ecology as a case study of a plant ecosystem model. It will also be of interest to other ecologists and environmentalists and those in the field of computer modelling and its applications.

Codice articolo 9780851992273

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Grassland Dynamics : An Ecosystem Simulation Model
• Editore: Cab International Apr 1998
• Data di pubblicazione: 1998
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0851992277
• ISBN 13: 9780851992273
• Rilegatura: Buch
• Condizione: Neu
• Dimensioni: 245 L x 174 A x 24 P (millimetri) 245 millimetri di larghezza per 174 millimetri di altezza per 24 millimetri di profondità
• Peso: 734 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Flexible and fast, computer simulations now play an important role in the study of ecology. This book gives a complete account of one such simulation, the Hurley Pasture Model, a dynamic, deterministic, mechanistic model for grassland, developed by the author and his colleagues over the last twenty years. The book presents the rationale and theoretical elements of this type of model, followed by an overview of the Hurley grassland simulator and the derivation and construction of its plant, animal, soil and litter, water, and environment and management components. The model is then evaluated by a series of long- and short-term dynamic simulations and steady state responses, which demonstrate how predictions can be made about the effects of, for example, climate change or particular regimes of fertilizer application, grazing or cutting. This book will be of great value to grassland agronomists and modelers, crop physiologists and plant ecologists, and to students of ecology as a case study of a plant ecosystem model. It will also be of interest to other ecologists and environmental scientists pursuing computer modeling and its applications.

Product Description

Book by Thornley John H M