Abstract
A general framework and methodology for modeling ecological management systems was proposed, with which useful information about the system, in varied forms, could be captured and utilized. These information dimensions of the system included four interacting aspects: data, knowledge, spatial and dynamic. Model-user participation in the development process was emphasized, and intervention by computer programmers was minimized or postponed to a later stage of the project. The development and application of the methodology was performed within the Jack Pine Budworm (JPBW) project. The JPBW project was part of a joint Forestry Canada-US Forest Service effort in developing an integrated decision support system to assist resource managers and scientists in prediction modeling and management of the pest infestation. The research presented here was aimed at formulating an accessible methodology based upon a conceptual philosophy and a prototyping strategy. The approach capitalized on advances in information technology, incorporating software techniques in systems analysis, relational databases, expert systems, geographic information systems and dynamic modeling. The model framework and modeling methodology were evaluated, in terms of model development times and operational efficiencies, by comparison with an alternative modeling approach and model structure. While the proposed methodology was not shown to lead to shorter development times, it did permit the greater involvement of domain rather than systems specialists in model development. The proposed framework was shown to result in less user intervention during model operation, and to enable some types of analyses that would be difficult or infeasible with a different framework.
Tan, Sen Suan (1992). A conceptual modeling framework and methodology for systems technology application in applied ecology. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -1354155.