Project Information

Title: LTM Program - Conceptual Ecological Modeling 12120114-I

Project Year and Number: 2012: 12120114-I

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2015: 15120114-I, 2014: 14120114-I, 2013: 13120114-I

Principal Investigator (PI): Tuula Hollmen

Managing Agency: ADFG

Assisting Personnel: None

Project Website: https://gulfwatchalaska.org/monitoring/completed-projects/conceptual-modeling/

Research Location: Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Kenai Peninsula

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Not Specified

Abstract:

This project is a component of the integrated Long-term Monitoring of Marine Conditions and Injured Resources and Services submitted by McCammon et. al. Under this research project, we will develop conceptual ecological models to support the synthesis and planning relating to the long term monitoring program in Prince William Sound, outer Kenai coast, and lower Cook Inlet/Kachemak Bay. To develop these models, we will summarize system components, processes, and influences into a synthetic framework. The conceptual models will assist in identification of data needs and development of further long term monitoring priorities, and support ecosystem based understanding, monitoring, and management of resources within our study area. The conceptual models will also provide guidance for development of numerical and quantitative models of system function and responses to external influences. Finally, the conceptual models will provide a communication tool among scientists, resource managers, policy-makers, and the general public, and will offer outreach opportunities for our project by using data visualization and interactive web-based tools. Development of conceptual ecological models is a multi-step, iterative process, responding to evolving understanding of the structure and dynamics of the system by revising and refining models throughout the process. Specific steps of the process involve: defining goals and scope of the modeling, summarizing current understanding of system structure and processes, defining environmental and anthropogenic influences included in the modeling, development of relevant hierarchies and submodels, refining models with increased understanding of system function, and development of interactive and visualization tools to provide methods to use models for long term planning, development of hypotheses, data exploration, and outreach.


Proposal: View (93 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY12: View (2,211 KB)
Final Report: See Project 15120114-I

Publications from this Project: None Available