A ground-up approach to explaining dynamic spatial modelling for an
interdisciplinary audience. Across broad areas of the environmental
and social sciences, simulation models are an important way to study
systems inaccessible to scientific experimental and observational
methods, and also an essential complement to those more conventional
approaches. The contemporary research literature is teeming with
abstract simulation models whose presentation is mathematically
demanding and requires a high level of knowledge of quantitative and
computational methods and approaches. Furthermore, simulation models
designed to represent specific systems and phenomena are often
complicated, and, as a result, difficult to reconstruct from their
descriptions in the literature. This book aims to provide a
practical and accessible account of dynamic spatial modelling, while
also equipping readers with a sound conceptual foundation in the
subject, and a useful introduction to the wide-ranging literature.
Spatial Simulation: Exploring Pattern and Process is organised around
the idea that a small number of spatial processes underlie the wide
variety of dynamic spatial models. Its central focus on three
‘building-blocks’ of dynamic spatial models – forces of
attraction and segregation, individual mobile entities, and processes
of spread – guides the reader to an understanding of the basis of
many of the complicated models found in the research literature. The
three building block models are presented in their simplest form and
are progressively elaborated and related to real world process that
can be represented using them. Introductory chapters cover essential
background topics, particularly the relationships between pattern,
process and spatiotemporal scale. Additional chapters consider how
time and space can be represented in more complicated models, and
methods for the analysis and evaluation of models. Finally, the three
building block models are woven together in a more elaborate example
to show how a complicated model can be assembled from relatively
simple components. To aid understanding, more than 50 specific models
described in the book are available online at patternandprocess.org
for exploration in the freely available Netlogo platform. This book
encourages readers to develop intuition for the abstract types of
model that are likely to be appropriate for application in any
specific context. Spatial Simulation: Exploring Pattern and Process
will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students taking
courses in environmental, social, ecological and geographical
disciplines. Researchers and professionals who require a
non-specialist introduction will also find this book an invaluable
guide to dynamic spatial simulation.
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Exploring Pattern and Process
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781118527078
Publisert
2014
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Wiley Professional, Reference & Trade
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Antall sider
336
Forfatter