This book 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.
Develops thought-provoking applications which emphasize the value of modeling as a learning tool
Examines basic descriptive equations, matrix representations, consumer-resources interactions, applications in simulation, scenarios, harvesting, population viability, metapopulation dynamics, disease outbreaks, vegetation stage and state dynamics, habitat suitability assessment, and model selection statistics
Includes a wide range of examples relating to birds, fish, plants and large African mammals

This book 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. "Introduction to Modelling in Wildlife and Resource Conservation" develops thought-provoking applications which emphasize the value of modelling as a learning tool. Beginning with basic descriptive equations, matrix representations and consumer-resources interactions, the book then goes on 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.;This book provides an essential introduction to modelling for upper level undergraduate and graduate students who have a completed a basic course in ecology and plan careers in wildlife conservation.

Publisher:

Blackwell Publishers

ISBN:

9781405144391

Publication date:

July 2007

Length:

232mm

Width:

158mm

Thickness:

20mm

Weight:

531g

Pages:

332

Illustrations:

Illustrated

Readership:

Undergraduate

Illustrated:

Illustrated

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