What are environmental models?Environment models seek to re-create what occurs during some event in nature. It is much easier and practical to create computer models to run certain experiments than it is to go out and do the same experiment again and again. Computer models take equations which were usually formulated through testing under natural conditions, and put them into computer programs where they can be run quickly and easily. A model can then output the results of doing these equations into a form which can be output to a screen for the user to view.
What is the basic structure of the model?Models have three basic parts, starting with the science, moving towards a mathematical representation of that science, and ending in the solution of the mathematics on a computer. The process is actually more like a circle: the answer that comes out of the computer is used to refine the science, which leads to a new set of mathematics, which leads to a new computer program. One of the tasks we face in computer modeling is deciding when we think the answer is "right". The parts of all the modeling process are:
On this page you will find a variety of models which cover various aspects of environmental modeling. Have fun!
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