"This is consequently very much a hands-on work and ideal as a basic manual for a course on the topic. At the same time, it will be of value to conservationists who wish to understand the basis of some modeling approach they find in a paper directly pertinent to their particular interests." (Biodivers Conserv, 2011)
An easy approach to modelling." (Mammalia, April 2009)
"This is a very interesting text. ... The focus on method and theory as well as programming means that the text encourages the reader to question even basic assumptions." (Ecological and Environmental Education)
Introduction to Modeling in Wildlife and Resource Conservation provides students with the skills to develop their own models for application in conservation biology and wildlife management. Assuming no special mathematical expertise, the computational models used are kept simple and show how to develop models in both spreadsheet and programming language format.
The bookdevelops thought-provoking applications which emphasize the value of modeling as a learning tool. Beginning with basic descriptive equations, matrix representations, and consumer-resources interactions, the book proceeds to explore applications in simulation, scenarios, harvesting, population viability, metapopulation dynamics, disease outbreaks, vegetation stage and state dynamics, habitat suitability assessment, and model selection statistics. Detailed instructions are given on how to construct spreadsheet models, and programmes are written in True BASIC which forms a readily understandable foundation language. Throughout the book a wide range of examples are used relating to birds, fish, plants and large African mammals.
An accompanying CD provides models as well as a trial version of the True BASIC programming language.
This book provides an essential introduction to modeling for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who have a completed a basic course in ecology and plan careers in wildlife conservation.
From the Back Cover
Introduction to Modeling in Wildlife and Resource Conservation provides students with the skills to develop their own models for application in conservation biology and wildlife management. Assuming no special mathematical expertise, the computational models used are kept simple and show how to develop models in both spreadsheet and programming language format.
The bookdevelops thought-provoking applications which emphasize the value of modeling as a learning tool. Beginning with basic descriptive equations, matrix representations, and consumer-resources interactions, the book proceeds to explore applications in simulation, scenarios, harvesting, population viability, metapopulation dynamics, disease outbreaks, vegetation stage and state dynamics, habitat suitability assessment, and model selection statistics. Detailed instructions are given on how to construct spreadsheet models, and programmes are written in True BASIC which forms a readily understandable foundation language. Throughout the book a wide range of examples are used relating to birds, fish, plants and large African mammals.
An accompanying CD provides models as well as a trial version of the True BASIC programming language.
This book provides an essential introduction to modeling for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who have a completed a basic course in ecology and plan careers in wildlife conservation.
About the Author
Norman Owen-Smith is Research Professor in African Ecology in the School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He teaches ecology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and is well-known internationally for his research into all aspects of wildlife ecology and bioresource conservation.
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