Models in Environmental Research

In most natural sciences, modeling is a widespread method of gaining new knowledge about natural and technical systems. This book analyses the concepts of 'model' and 'modeling' in different fields of research. The different methods of modeling as well as the potentials and limits of this concept are reflected and discussed. The book presents a variety of modeling techniques, from mathematical models in climatology, meteorology or oceanography to methods used in morphology, decision-making in ecology and physical modeling in oceanography. In this broad overview regarding modeling, the book is unique.

1 Models as Focusing Tools: Linking Nature and the Social World.- Abstract.- 1.1 Models as Focusing Tools: Linking Nature and the Social World.- 1.2 The Practice of Modeling.- 1.3 The Methodology of Modeling.- 1.4 Isomorphism.- 1.5 Quantification.- 1.6 Modeling Societal Sensitivity.- 1.7 Examples of Models.- 1.8 The Poverty of Economics.- 1.9 Hybrid Forms or the Linkage between Social and Physical Processes.- Appendix: Additional Comments of Modeling Climate and Societal Sensitivity.- 2 Models between Academia and Applications.- Abstract.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 General Properties of Models.- 2.3 Purpose of Models.- 2.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgments.- 3 Basic Concepts in Dynamical Modeling.- Abstract.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Classical Mechanics.- 3.3 Ideal Fluids.- 3.4 Thermodynamics.- 3.5 Dynamical Systems.- 3.6 Statistical Mechanics.- 3.7 Stochastic Processes.- 3.8 Discussion.- Acknowledgments.- 4 Process-oriented Models in Physical Oceanography.- Abstract.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Examples.- 4.3 Concluding Remarks.- Acknowledgments.- 5 Mathematical Models in Environmental Research.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Mathematical Models — an Overview.- 5.3 From Nature to Navier-Stokes’ Equations.- 5.4 From Differential Equations to a Numerical Representation.- 5.5 Summary.- Acknowledgments.- 6 Physical Modeling of Flow and Dispersion.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Properties of Wind-Tunnel Boundary Layers.- 6.3 Dimensional Analysis.- 6.4 Matching of Similarity Requirements.- 6.5 Experiments.- 6.6 Variation of Similarity Parameters.- 6.7 Parameterisation of Thermodynamic Processes.- 6.8 Small-Scale/Full-Scale Comparisons.- 6.9 Investigation of Obstacle Effects.- 6.10 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- 7 Conceptual Models for Ecology-Related Decisions.- Abstract.- 7.1 Introduction.-7.2 The Wadden Sea — a Sensitive Environment.- 7.3 The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) for Wadden Sea Areas.- 7.4 Environmental (Ecological) Risk Assessment (ERA).- 7.5 Ecological Monitoring of the Benthos.- 7.6 Conclusions.- 8 Models in the Mechanics of Materials.- Abstract.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Modeling in the Mechanics of Materials.- 8.3 Examples.- 8.4 Conclusions.- 9 Mathematical Morphology.- Abstract.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 An Introductive Example.- 9.3 The Morphological Tool Box.- 9.4 Quantification and Morphological Measurements.- 9.5 Random Models.- 10 Statistical Interpolation Models.- Abstract.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The Random Function Model.- 10.3 Multivariate Geostatistics.- 10.4 Non-Stationary Model.- 10.5 Conclusion.- 11 Statistics — an Indispensable Tool in Dynamical Modeling.- Abstract.- 11.1 Environmental Research.- 11.2 State Space Models.- 11.3 Statistics and Quasi-realistic Models.- 11.4 Reduced “Cognitive” Models.- Acknowledgments.- References.