Spatial Optimization in Ecological Applications

by John Hof, Michael Bevers

Overview

Whether discussing habitat placement for the northern spotted owl or black-tailed prairie dog or strategies for controlling exotic pests, this book explains how capturing ecological relationships across a landscape with pragmatic optimization models can be applied to real world problems. Using linear programming, Hof and Bevers show how it is possible for the researcher to include many thousands of choice variables and many thousands of constraints and still be quite confident of being able to solve the problem in hand with widely available software. The authors' emphasis is to preserve optimality and explore how much ecosystem function can be captured, stressing the solvability of large problems such as those in real world case studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231500739
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	05/23/2002
Series:	Complexity in Ecological Systems
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	520
Lexile:	1590L (what's this?)
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

John Hof is a project leader and Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. Michael Bevers is a Senior Research Scientist at the same institution. They are the authors of Spatial Optimization for Managed Ecosystems, also in the Complexity in Ecological Systems series.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction
Part I. Simple Proximity Relationships
2. Sedimentation
3. Stormflow Management
4. Natural Regeneration in Any-aged Forest Management
5. Combining Simulation with Optimization: Habitat Placement for the Northern Spotted Owl
Part II. Reaction-Diffusion Models6. Characteristics of the Discrete Reaction-Diffusion Model
7. The Basic Model: Habitat Placement for the Black-Footed Ferret
8. Population-Dependent Dispersal: Habitat Placement for the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
9. Topography-Based Dispersal: Habitat Location for the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
10. Habitat Edge Effects
Part III. Control Models
11. Strategies for Controlling Exotic Pests
12. Strategies for Controlling Wildfire
Part IV. Using Optimization to Develop Hypotheses About Ecosystems
13. Multi-Scaled Ecological Limiting Factors
14. Carbon Fixation in Trees as an Optimization Process
15 Postscript
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Following up their 1998 work, Spatial Optimization for Managed Ecosystems, the authors focus on capturing ecological relationships across a landscape with optimization models that can be applied to real-world problems. Primarily using linear programming methods, but including two formulations for integer programming, they explore simple proximity relationships, reaction-diffusion models, and control models. Case examples of habitat location and placement for wildlife are used to illustrate applications. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Readers without an extensive background in mathematics should not shy away from this book. The authors present the mathematical techniques outlined in each section clearly and in a way that is accessible to students, academics, or professionals... This is both an intriguing and thought provoking book, that will be of interest to ecologists, geographers, and resource managers with an interest in spatial analysis.

Environments - Peter Deadman

Readers without an extensive background in mathematics should not shy away from this book. The authors present the mathematical techniques outlined in each section clearly and in a way that is accessible to students, academics, or professionals... This is both an intriguing and thought provoking book, that will be of interest to ecologists, geographers, and resource managers with an interest in spatial analysis.

— Peter Deadman

Environments