Environment Modeling A Practical Introduction

About this book

A key primer for undergraduate students, A Practical Introduction to Environmental Modelling will teach them how to develop and use computerized models to represent climatic, biogeochemical, ecological and urban systems. The textbook presents environmental modeling in a practical way, clearly illustrating the various stages in the conception, mathematical formulation, computational implementation, sensitivity analysis, validation and use of a range of simple environmental models. The essential analytical and practical skills are then provided for complete understanding and practice. A CD -ROM accompanies the book, providing free software tools and data sets.

Contents

MODELS AND MODELINGWhy Model?The Modeling ProcessLlyn EfyrnwyStructure and Objectives of the BookResources on the CD-ROMTypographical Conventions VISUALIZING ENVIRONMENTAL DATAIntroductionCreating Two-Dimensional PlotsPlotting Time-Series DataPlotting in Three DimensionsPrinting PlotsExporting Graphics FilesCommand-Line ScriptsSummary PROCESSING ENVIRONMENTAL DATAIntroductionStructure of the Llyn Efyrnwy Precipitation DataCreating and Running a Simple gawk ProgramUsing gawk to Process Selected FieldsStoring the gawk Program in a FileUsing gawk to Process Selected RecordsControlling the Format of the OutputRedirecting the Output to a FileVisualizing the Output DataLogical or Boolean Operators in gawkSummary WIND SPEED AND WIND POWERIntroductionDescription of the Wind Speed DataCalculating the Annual Mean Wind SpeedDetermining the Maximum Wind SpeedExploring Wind Speed VariabilityWind Energy and PowerSummary SOLAR RADIATION AT EARTH'S SURFACEIntroductionDescription of the Solar Irradiance DataAnalyzing the ObservationsModeling Solar IrradianceSummary LIGHT INTERACTION WITH A PLANT CANOPYIntroductionDeveloping a Model of Light Interaction with Plant CanopiesA Two-Layer Light Interaction ModelAccounting for Multiple ScatteringMultiple Leaf-Layer ModelsSummary ANALYTICAL AND NUMERICAL SOLUTIONSIntroductionAn Exact Analytical Solution to the Two-Layer ModelAn Iterative Numerical Solution to the Multiple Leaf-Layer ModelBouguer's Law and the Attenuation CoefficientSummary POPULATION DYNAMICSIntroductionUnconstrained or Density-Independent GrowthConstrained or Density-Dependent GrowthNumerical Integration (or Stepping) MethodsInter-Specific CompetitionPredator-Prey RelationshipsSummary BIOSPHERIC FEEDBACK ON DAISYWORLDIntroductionDescription and Assumptions of the Conceptual ModelFormulating the Mathematical ModelImplementing the Computational ModelSensitivity Analysis and Uncertainty AnalysisSummaryMODELING INCIDENT SOLAR RADIATION AND HYDROLOGICAL NETWORKS OVER NATURAL TERRAINIntroductionVisualizing Digital Elevation Data as an ArrayHandling Multi-Dimensional Arrays in gawkDetermining Terrain Gradient and AspectSolar Irradiance on Sloping TerrainModeling Hydrological NetworksSummary and Further Directions INSTALLING AND RUNNING THE SOFTWAREIntroductionSome Basic Computing ConceptsInstalling and Running gnuplotInstalling and Running gawk GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSEPreambleTerms and Conditions for Copying, Distribution and ModificationNo Warranty GNUPLOT LICENSE STANDARDSInternational Standard Date and Time NotationSI Units (Syst?me International d'Unit?s) SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS LIST OF SYMBOLSREFERENCESINDEX

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