Spatial Optimization in Ecological Applications

Spatial Optimization in Ecological Applications

Whether discussing habitat placement for the northern spotted owl or black-tailed prairie dog or strategies for controlling exotic pests, this book explains how capturing ecological relationships across a landscape with pragmatic optimization models can be applied to real world problems. Using linear programming, Hof and Bevers show how it is possible for the researcher to include many thousands of choice variables and many thousands of constraints and still be quite confident of being able to solve the problem in hand with widely available software. The authors' emphasis is to preserve optimality and explore how much ecosystem function can be captured, stressing the solvability of large problems such as those in real world case studies.
  • CONTENTS
  • PREFACE
  • 1. INTRODUCTION
  • Perspective
  • Organization
  • Methods
  • Traditional Linear Programming Approaches
  • Our Approach
  • PART I: SIMPLE PROXIMITY RELATIONSHIPS
  • 2. SEDIMENTATION
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • 3. STORMFLOW MANAGEMENT
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • 4. NATURAL REGENERATION IN ANY-AGED FOREST MANAGEMENT
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • Solvability
  • Solution Patterns
  • Incomplete Initial Seeding
  • 5. COMBINING SIMULATION WITH OPTIMIZATION: HABITAT PLACEMENT FOR THE NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL
  • The Northern Spotted Owl
  • The Model
  • The Connectivity (f) Function
  • The Carrying Capacity (g) Function
  • Results
  • Comparison of the Simulation Model with the Optimization Model
  • Evaluation of the Plan
  • PART II: REACTION–DIFFUSION MODELS
  • 6. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISCRETE REACTION–DIFFUSION MODEL
  • Experiments
  • Populations Isolated in a Single Patch
  • Effects of Patch Size
  • Effects of Patch Shape
  • Effects of Intrapatch Heterogeneity
  • Populations Occupying Multiple Patches
  • Fragmentation of Contiguous Habitat
  • Populations Occupying Multiple Patches
  • Fragmentation of Contiguous Habitat
  • Island Systems
  • Effects of Patch Shape on Colonization
  • Discussion
  • 7. THE BASIC MODEL: HABITAT PLACEMENT FOR THE BLACK-FOOTED FERRET
  • The Black-Footed Ferret
  • The Model
  • Decision Variables
  • Parameters
  • Ferret Reintroduction in South Dakota
  • Spatial Definition
  • Ferret Dispersal
  • Net Population Growth Rate
  • Ferret Releases
  • Ferret Carrying Capacity
  • Results
  • 8. POPULATION-DEPENDENT DISPERSAL: HABITAT PLACEMENT FOR THE BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG
  • The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
  • The Model
  • Results
  • 9. TOPOGRAPHY-BASED DISPERSAL: HABITAT LOCATION FOR THE WESTERN PRAIRIE FRINGED ORCHID
  • The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
  • The Model
  • Variables
  • Parameters
  • General Formulation
  • Specific Formulation
  • Landscape
  • Parameters
  • Results
  • Initial Seed Dispersal Assumptions
  • Conservative Seed Dispersal Assumptions
  • 10. HABITAT EDGE EFFECTS
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • Forage Constraint Effects
  • Dynamic Scheduling
  • Management Scale Effects
  • PART III: CONTROL MODELS
  • 11. STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING EXOTIC PESTS
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • 12. STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING WILDFIRE
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • Extensions
  • PART IV: USING OPTIMIZATION TO DEVELOP HYPOTHESES ABOUT ECOSYSTEMS
  • 13. MULTISCALED ECOLOGICAL LIMITING FACTORS
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • Reproduction and Dispersal Effects
  • Heterogeneous Habitat Effects
  • Discussion
  • Appendix
  • 14. CARBON FIXATION IN TREES AS AN OPTIMIZATION PROCESS
  • Formulation
  • Case Example
  • Results
  • Basic Solution
  • Sensitivity Analysis
  • Discussion
  • 15. POSTSCRIPT
  • REFERENCES
  • INDEX

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