Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/ieam.4886
Document Shareable Link
Title (Primary) Mechanistic population models for ecological risk assessment and decision support: The importance of good conceptual model diagrams
Author Forbes, V.E.; Accolla, C.; Banitz, T. ORCID logo ; Crouse, K.; Galic, N.; Grimm, V.; Raimondo, S.; Schmolke, A.; Vaugeois, M.
Source Titel Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
Year 2024
Department OESA
Volume 20
Issue 5
Page From 1566
Page To 1574
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords good modeling practice; mechanistic effect models; model visualization; popcmd.com; Pop-GUIDE
Abstract The use of mechanistic population models as research and decision-support tools in ecology and ecological risk assessment is increasing. This growth has been facilitated by advances in technology, allowing the simulation of more complex systems, as well as by standardized approaches for model development, documentation, and evaluation. Mechanistic population models are particularly useful for simulating complex systems, but the required model complexity can make them challenging to communicate. Conceptual diagrams that summarize key model elements, as well as elements that were considered but not included, can facilitate communication and understanding of models and increase their acceptance as decision-support tools. Currently, however, there are no consistent standards for creating or presenting conceptual model diagrams, and both terminology and content vary widely. Here we argue that greater consistency in conceptual model diagram development and presentation is an important component of good modeling practice, and we provide recommendations, examples, and a free web app (pop-cmd.com) for achieving this for population models used for decision support in ecological risk assessments.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28477
Forbes, V.E., Accolla, C., Banitz, T., Crouse, K., Galic, N., Grimm, V., Raimondo, S., Schmolke, A., Vaugeois, M. (2024):
Mechanistic population models for ecological risk assessment and decision support: The importance of good conceptual model diagrams
Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 20 (5), 1566 - 1574 10.1002/ieam.4886