Forecasting Forested Landscapes: an Introduction to LANDIS-II with Exercises

Forecasting Forested Landscapes: an Introduction to LANDIS-II with Exercises
Author: Robert M. Scheller
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2014-04-21
Genre: Forest landscape management
ISBN: 9781499216240

Our ultimate goal is to provide users with an overview of simulation modeling and provide concrete examples of how to use a forest landscape simulation model for research or planning purposes. Hence this book has multiple purposes: First, we provide a general introduction to using sophisticated simulation models to project changes across forested landscapes. Second, we give an overview of the LANDIS-II landscape simulation model, a widely used forest landscape change model. Finally, we provide exercises so the user can gain familiarity with a forest landscape simulation model - specifically LANDIS-II.

Forecasting Forested Landscape 5th Edition

Forecasting Forested Landscape 5th Edition
Author: Robert Scheller
Publisher:
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2018-07-05
Genre:
ISBN: 9781722654924

Our goal for this book is to provide users with an overview of simulation modeling generally, the LANDIS model specifically, and to provide concrete examples of how to use a forest landscape simulation model for research or planning purposes. Hence this book has multiple purposes: First, we provide a general introduction to using sophisticated simulation models to project changes across forested landscapes. Second, we give an overview of the LANDIS-II landscape simulation model, a widely used forest landscape change model. Finally, we provide exercises so the user can gain familiarity with a forest landscape simulation model - specifically LANDIS-II.

Forecasting Forested Landscapes

Forecasting Forested Landscapes
Author: Landis-II Foundation
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2015-04-28
Genre:
ISBN: 9781511944564

Our goal is to provide users with an overview of forest landscape simulation modeling and provide concrete examples of how to use a forest landscape simulation model - specifically LANDIS-II - for research or planning purposes. First, we provide a general introduction to using sophisticated simulation models to project changes across forested landscapes. Second, we give an overview of the LANDIS-II landscape simulation model, a widely used forest landscape change model. Finally, we provide exercises so the user can gain familiarity with a forest landscape simulation model - specifically LANDIS-II. We begin with a broad overview of simulation modeling. We briefly touch on topics common to all forest simulation models: scale, level of detail, parameterization, calibration, validation, and replication.Next, we provide a comprehensive outline of the characteristics of LANDIS-II that distinguish it from other models. We then describe the data needed to parameterize the model and outline various sources from which to gather the data. A description of the various succession extensions available for LANDIS-II is provided, along with an explanation of how one might calibrate the model and then validate the results. Next, we briefly describe a subset of the disturbance extensions available and outline procedures for their calibration and validation. We conclude with a discussion of how LANDIS simulates the effects of climate change on forest succession and disturbance. The book concludes with a compilation of several exercises designed for the user to gain familiarity with modeling forested landscapes and with using LANDIS-II. The first exercises (chapter 6-8) familiarize the user with running the model (necessary for all subsequent exercises. Subsequent exercises help users become familiar with the simulation of critical ecological processes: succession (chapters 9 and 10) and disturbances (chapters 11-12). Also included is an exercise to learn how to develop forest management scenarios (chapter 13). The final exercise (chapter 14) is designed to help the user synthesize multiple processes to answer more integrated questions about how to manage forests in the face of climate change and disturbance. Together, these exercises will guide the user through the mechanics of running the model and help them discern which extensions are appropriate for their specific research, planning, or scenario application.This book is not a substitute for reading the many LANDIS-II User Guides or the peer-reviewed literature associated with each. If, at the end of the book, you are inspired to apply LANDIS-II, please visit www.landis-ii.org and explore the many resources provided there.

Emulating Natural Forest Landscape Disturbances

Emulating Natural Forest Landscape Disturbances
Author: Ajith H. Perera
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2008-01-11
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0231503083

What is a natural forest disturbance? How well do we understand natural forest disturbances and how might we emulate them in forest management? What role does emulation play in forest management? Representing a range of geographic perspectives from across Canada and the United States, this book looks at the escalating public debate on the viability of natural disturbance emulation for sustaining forest landscapes from the perspective of policymakers, forestry professionals, academics, and conservationists. This book provides a scientific foundation for justifying the use of and a solid framework for examining the ambiguities inherent in emulating natural forest landscape disturbance. It acknowledges the divergent expectations that practitioners face and offers a balanced view of the promises and challenges associated with applying this emerging forest management paradigm. The first section examines foundational concepts, addressing questions of what emulation involves and what ecological reasoning substantiates it. These include a broad overview, a detailed review of emerging forest management paradigms and their global context, and an examination of the ecological premise for emulating natural disturbance. This section also explores the current understanding of natural disturbance regimes, including the two most prevalent in North America: fire and insects. The second section uses case studies from a wide geographical range to address the characterization of natural disturbances and the development of applied templates for their emulation through forest management. The emphasis on fire regimes in this section reflects the greater focus that has traditionally been placed on understanding and managing fire, compared with other forms of disturbance, and utilizes several viewpoints to address the lessons learned from historical disturbance patterns. Reflecting on current thinking in the field, immediate challenges, and potential directions, the final section moves deeper into the issues of practical applications by exploring the expectations for and feasibility of emulating natural disturbance through forest management.

Forest Landscape Restoration

Forest Landscape Restoration
Author: John Stanturf
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 322
Release: 2012-11-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400753268

Restoration ecology, as a scientific discipline, developed from practitioners’ efforts to restore degraded land, with interest also coming from applied ecologists attracted by the potential for restoration projects to apply and/or test developing theories on ecosystem development. Since then, forest landscape restoration (FLR) has emerged as a practical approach to forest restoration particularly in developing countries, where an approach which is both large-scale and focuses on meeting human needs is required. Yet despite increased investigation into both the biological and social aspects of FLR, there has so far been little success in systematically integrating these two complementary strands. Bringing experts in landscape studies, natural resource management and forest restoration, together with those experienced in conflict management, environmental economics and urban studies, this book bridges that gap to define the nature and potential of FLR as a truly multidisciplinary approach to a global environmental problem. The book will provide a valuable reference to graduate students and researchers interested in ecological restoration, forest ecology and management, as well as to professionals in environmental restoration, natural resource management, conservation, and environmental policy.

Models for Planning Wildlife Conservation in Large Landscapes

Models for Planning Wildlife Conservation in Large Landscapes
Author: Joshua Millspaugh
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 736
Release: 2011-04-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080920160

A single-resource volume of information on the most current and effective techniques of wildlife modeling, Models for Planning Wildlife Conservation in Large Landscapes is appropriate for students and researchers alike. The unique blend of conceptual, methodological, and application chapters discusses research, applications and concepts of modeling and presents new ideas and strategies for wildlife habitat models used in conservation planning. The book makes important contributions to wildlife conservation of animals in several ways: (1) it highlights historical and contemporary advancements in the development of wildlife habitat models and their implementation in conservation planning; (2) it provides practical advice for the ecologist conducting such studies; and (3) it supplies directions for future research including new strategies for successful studies.Intended to provide a recipe for successful development of wildlife habitat models and their implementation in conservation planning, the book could be used in studying wildlife habitat models, conservation planning, and management techniques. Additionally it may be a supplemental text in courses dealing with quantitative assessment of wildlife populations. Additionally, the length of the book would be ideal for graduate student seminar course.Using wildlife habitat models in conservation planning is of considerable interest to wildlife biologists. With ever tightening budgets for wildlife research and planning activities, there is a growing need to use computer methods. Use of simulation models represents the single best alternative. However, it is imperative that these techniques be described in a single source. Moreover, biologists should be made aware of alternative modeling techniques. It is also important that practical guidance be provided to biologists along with a demonstration of utility of these procedures. Currently there is little guidance in the wildlife or natural resource planning literature on how best to incorporate wildlife planning activities, particularly community-based approaches. Now is the perfect time for a synthestic publication that clearly outlines the concepts and available methods, and illustrates them. Only single resource book of information not only on various wildlife modeling techniques, but also with practical guidance on the demonstrated utility of each based on real-world conditions. Provides concepts, methods and applications for wildlife ecologists and others within a GIS context. Written by a team of subject-area experts

Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice

Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice
Author: Monica G. Turner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2007-05-08
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0387216944

An ideal text for students taking a course in landscape ecology. The book has been written by very well-known practitioners and pioneers in the new field of ecological analysis. Landscape ecology has emerged during the past two decades as a new and exciting level of ecological study. Environmental problems such as global climate change, land use change, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity have required ecologists to expand their traditional spatial and temporal scales and the widespread availability of remote imagery, geographic information systems, and desk top computing has permitted the development of spatially explicit analyses. In this new text book this new field of landscape ecology is given the first fully integrated treatment suitable for the student. Throughout, the theoretical developments, modeling approaches and results, and empirical data are merged together, so as not to introduce barriers to the synthesis of the various approaches that constitute an effective ecological synthesis. The book also emphasizes selected topic areas in which landscape ecology has made the most contributions to our understanding of ecological processes, as well as identifying areas where its contributions have been limited. Each chapter features questions for discussion as well as recommended reading.

A Changing World

A Changing World
Author: Felix Kienast
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2007-03-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402044364

Modern landscape research uses a panoply of techniques to further our understanding of our changing world, including mathematics, statistics and advanced simulation techniques to combine empirical observations with known theories. This book identifies emerging fields and new challenges that are discussed within the framework of the ‘driving forces’ of Landscape Development. the book addresses all of the ‘hot topics’ in this important area of study and emphasizes major contemporary trends in these fields.