Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1.1 Environments and examples (see text) where ecological modelling contributed important
aspects to the understanding of ecological dynamics. (a) North European pastures, (b) Everglades
marshland (Florida, USA), (c) coral reef system, Indo-West Pacific (Foto courtesy of E. Borell),
(d) school of Mouth Mackerels feeding on zooplankton, Red Sea, Egypt, (e) tropical mangrove
forest, Malaysia, (f) conventional and genetically modified maize fields in Northern Germany
(gene flow), (g) distribution of landcover types in Northern Germany (remote sensing image)
Chap. 18); what mechanisms rule swarms and schools of individuals and how do
these swarms interact with the environment (Fig.
1.1d
; Chaps. 2 and 12 ); Can we
reliably forecast stocks in fisheries to support a sustainable resource use and what
impact does Global Change have here (Fr´on et al. 2005; Chap. 21); what mechan-
isms control competition in Mangrove forests (Fig.
1.1e
; Chap. 2); how can we
assess and compare the gene flow of conventional and genetically-modified crops
(Fig.
1.1f
; Chap. 16); how can Geographical Information Systems (GIS) be used for
model integration and what is the benefit of this procedure for ecology (Fig.
1.1g
;
Chap. 22)?
In all the above fields ecological models were set up to help in gaining insights,
to understand the implications of change and to identify knowledge gaps. In some
