Mark Mulligan

A comprehensive resource on environmental modelling that shows how to simplify complex environmental systems This unique guide gives an overview of environmental modelling with a focus on simplifying complex environmental systems. Written for students and practitioners in environmental science, engineering and ecology, the book reviews all of the current software, tools and techniques used for modelling environmental processes, and gives practical examples from a wide variety of disciplines, such as climatology, ecology, hydrology, geomorphology and civil engineering. To further aid in reader comprehension, a companion website provides colour images and links to resources and chapter support pages. The website also includes data sets relating to case studies, exercises, and model animations. Topics covered in the book include: An overview of modelling and model buildingCurrent and future approaches to environmental modelling Models for environmental management Modelling land-use change, ice sheet modellingUsing OpenSource data and AIThis book is suitable for final-year undergraduates and postgraduates in environmental modelling, environmental science, civil engineering, and biology who are already familiar with the subject and moving on to specialize in the field. It will also appeal to professionals interested in the environmental sciences, including environmental consultants, government employees, civil engineers, geographers, ecologists, meteorologists, and geochemists.

Simulation models are increasingly used to investigate processes and solve practical problems in a wide variety of disciplines. Central to the concept of this book is the idea that environmental systems are complex, open systems. The approach that the authors take is to present the diversity of approaches to dealing with environmental complexity and to encourage readers to make comparisons between these approaches and between different disciplines. Environmental Modelling: Finding Simplicity in Complexity is divided into four main sections. The first section provides an overview of methods and approaches to modelling. The following sections look at the state of the art in modelling different processes, the tools used and the applications addressed. It concludes with a look into the future of simulation modelling and some of the major developments in the field that are currently ongoing, including the use of GIS. This book: *Focuses on simplifying complex environmental systems. *Reviews current software, tools and techniques for modelling. *Has an associated website containing colour images, links to WWW resources and chapter support pages, including data sets relating to case studies, exercises and model animations. *Gives practical examples from a wide variety of disciplines, e.g., climatology, ecology, hydrology, geomorphology and engineering. This book is suitable for 2nd/3rd year undergraduates taking courses in Environmental Modelling in Departments of Geography, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering and Biology. It is also designed to appeal to professionals interested in the environmental sciences, including environmental consultants, government employees, civil engineers, geographers, ecologists, meteorologists, geochemists, soil scientist, environmental managers, social scientists, archaeologists, agronomists, engineers and applied mathematicians, as well as those with interests in spatial modelling and GIS.