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Location: Beijing,
China
Date: June, 2006
Workshop Description
Spatially explicit
forest landscape models (FLM) have become important
tools
to understand
large-scale,
long-term, and cumulative effects of various management
and disturbance regimes, because controlled field
experiments designed to address similar issues are
often not possible. FLMs share common features such
as 1) simulating at larger spatial and temporal scales,
and 2) modeling repeated, stochastic spatial processes
(e.g., seed dispersal, fire, wind, insect and disease,
harvesting, and fuel treatment) from local, focal,
to the entire landscape scale. Depending on the model
purpose and design limitations, FLMs may differ in
the key ecological processes that are incorporated,
the extent to which mechanistic detail is simulated
for each process, and consequently the scope of applications.
In
the past decade, significant theoretical and technological
advances have been made in FLM development.
From the theoretical perspective, FLMs continue to
build upon the rich theories of disturbance, succession,
and equilibrium as well as the non-equilibrium nature
of vegetation and ecosystems. It is widely acknowledged
that the future status of forest ecosystems is constrained
by both local-scale (ecosystem) and large-scale (landscape)
processes. From the technological perspective, FLMs
have benefited greatly from the rapid development
of computing capacity, GIS, and software engineering.
Determining which ecological processes to incorporate
in FLMs, the representation of these processes, and
the representation of the interactions among these
processes can be facilitated by improved software
products with features such as fully modularized
model design and interchangeable module components.
Despite
recent advances in FLM development and application,
there are still many unresolved issues relevant to
all FLMs. These include determining the essential
processes and structures must be modeled, protocols
and procedures necessary for model evaluation, appropriate
methods for result validation, efficiency from model
reuse or standardization, and appropriate model applications.
Contents
We propose to organize an international workshop
to invite scientists and experts from around the
world to exchange ideas and discuss important issues
related to FLMs. Specifically, the workshop will
focus on the following issues.
- New approaches and
development of FLMs
- Model evaluation— approaches
and methods for analyzing spatial and nonspatial
uncertainties and sensitivities.
- Model validation—approaches
and methods
- Model reusability, interchangeability,
and standardization
- Model input data generation
- Model
Applications and how to work with planners and
managers to facilitate
the use of FLM.
Sponsors
China National Science Foundation
US-IALE
For more information
Hong
S. He, PhD
School of Natural Resources
University of Missouri-Columbia
203 ABNR Building
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-7717
Fax: (573) 882-1977
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