Ecological-Economic Modelling for Biodiversity Conservation

Presents the state-of-the-art of model-based integration of ecology and economics in the field of biodiversity conservation.

Martin Drechsler (Author)

9781108725514, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

312 pages, 51 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.52 kg

'… the book aims to give a comprehensive survey of useful mathematical methods relevant to environmental policy design. The author stops to explain core concepts and provide historical context where necessary.' Chay Paterson, zbMATH

Ecologists and economists both use models to help develop strategies for biodiversity management. The practical use of disciplinary models, however, can be limited because ecological models tend not to address the socioeconomic dimension of biodiversity management, whereas economic models tend to neglect the ecological dimension. Given these shortcomings of disciplinary models, there is a necessity to combine ecological and economic knowledge into ecological-economic models. Gradually guiding the reader into the field of ecological-economic modelling by introducing mathematical models and their role in general, this book provides an overview on ecological and economic modelling approaches relevant for research in the field of biodiversity conservation. It discusses the advantages of and challenges associated with ecological-economic modelling, together with an overview of useful ways of integration. Although being a book about mathematical modelling, ecological and economic concepts play an equally important role, making it accessible for readers from very different disciplinary backgrounds.

Part I. Modelling: 1. What is a model?
2. Purposes of modelling
3. Typical model features
Part II. Ecological Modelling: 4. Homogenous deterministic population models
5. Homogenous stochastic population models
6. Spatial population models
7. Models with individual variability
8. Models of biodiversity
Part III. Economic Modelling: 9. Instruments for biodiversity conservation
10. Game theory
11. Incentive design
12. Modelling human decisions
13. The agglomeration bonus
Part IV. Ecological-Economic Modelling: 14. Foundations of ecological-economic modelling
15. Benefits and challenges of ecological-economic modelling
16. Integration of ecological and economic models
17. Examples of ecological-economic modelling
18. Outlook.

Subject Areas: Environmental monitoring [TQD], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Biodiversity [RNCB], Applied ecology [RNC], Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations [RNB], Environmental economics [KCN]