Ecological Modeling

  1. A Typology of Ecological Models
    1. Classification by Purpose
      1. Mechanistic (Process-Based) Models
        1. Representation of Underlying Processes
          1. Predictive Power and Extrapolation
            1. Causal Relationships
            2. Phenomenological (Empirical/Statistical) Models
              1. Data-Driven Approaches
                1. Pattern Recognition
                  1. Correlative Relationships
                  2. Conceptual Models
                    1. Qualitative Frameworks
                      1. Hypothesis Generation
                        1. Communication Tools
                        2. Hybrid Models
                          1. Combining Mechanistic and Empirical Components
                        3. Classification by Mathematical Structure
                          1. Deterministic Models
                            1. Predictable Outcomes
                              1. No Randomness in Model Structure
                                1. Reproducible Results
                                2. Stochastic Models
                                  1. Incorporation of Randomness
                                    1. Demographic Stochasticity
                                      1. Random Births and Deaths
                                        1. Small Population Effects
                                        2. Environmental Stochasticity
                                          1. Random Environmental Variation
                                            1. Correlated Environmental Fluctuations
                                            2. Observation Error Models
                                          2. Classification by Time Representation
                                            1. Static Models
                                              1. Time-Invariant Systems
                                                1. Equilibrium Analysis
                                                2. Dynamic Models
                                                  1. Temporal Change Representation
                                                    1. Discrete-Time Models
                                                      1. Stepwise Time Progression
                                                        1. Matrix Population Models
                                                        2. Continuous-Time Models
                                                          1. Continuous Change Over Time
                                                            1. Differential Equation Models
                                                        3. Classification by Spatial Representation
                                                          1. Non-spatial (Box) Models
                                                            1. Homogeneous Systems
                                                              1. Well-Mixed Assumptions
                                                              2. Spatially Implicit Models
                                                                1. Aggregated Spatial Effects
                                                                  1. Migration Terms
                                                                  2. Spatially Explicit Models
                                                                    1. Explicit Spatial Structure
                                                                      1. Grid-Based Models
                                                                        1. Network Models
                                                                          1. Continuous Space Models
                                                                        2. Classification by Level of Organization
                                                                          1. Individual-Based Models
                                                                            1. Modeling Individual Organisms
                                                                              1. Behavioral Rules
                                                                              2. Population Models
                                                                                1. Single-Species Populations
                                                                                  1. Demographic Processes
                                                                                  2. Community Models
                                                                                    1. Multiple Interacting Species
                                                                                      1. Species Interactions
                                                                                      2. Ecosystem Models
                                                                                        1. Biotic and Abiotic Interactions
                                                                                          1. Biogeochemical Cycles
                                                                                          2. Landscape Models
                                                                                            1. Large-Scale Spatial Patterns
                                                                                              1. Habitat Connectivity

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                                                                                          2. Mathematical and Statistical Foundations

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                                                                                          4. The Modeling Cycle: From Concept to Application