Models in Ecology

Abstract

A model can be considered as a synthesis of elements of knowledge about a system. The quality of the model is therefore very dependent on the quality of our knowledge about the elements and the available data. If our knowledge and data of a given problem are poor, it must not be expected that the model of the system will be able to fill the holes in our detailed knowledge or repair a poor set of data. On the other hand, models are able to provide new knowledge about the reactions and properties of an entire system. A model represents a synthesis of knowledge and data and can consequently provide results particularly about system properties. Furthermore, when we put together the results of many different models covering different viewpoints, we obtain a more comprehensive overall picture of the ecosystem, because we can, as discussed in Chapters 1 and 2, only cover our observations completely by the use of a pluralistic view. Modelling is a very useful tool in our effort to achieve the best possible such view.