Challenges of forest landscape modeling—Simulating large landscapes and validating results

TitleChallenges of forest landscape modeling—Simulating large landscapes and validating results
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsHe, Hong, Yang Jian, Shifley Stephen R., and Thompson Frank R.
JournalLandscape and Urban Planning
Volume100
Pagination400 - 402
Date Published4/2011
KeywordsEcological realism, Forest landscape model, Model validation, Simulation capacity
Abstract

Over the last 20 years, we have seen a rapid development in the field of forest landscape modeling, fueled by both technological and theoretical advances. Two fundamental challenges have persisted since the inception of FLMs: (1) balancing realistic simulation of ecological processes at broad spatial and temporal scales with computing capacity, and (2) validating modeled results using independent, spatially explicit time series data. The paper discusses the current status and future directions regarding these two challenges.