John - Whenever I see the phrase "ecological modeling" in this kind of context I cringe a little. What is typically meant is to generate some sort of dynamical model (as opposed to a statistical model) with a goal of projecting something (often population sizes) into the future. It is this approach that is often attacked by empiricists as lacking the complexity of biological systems, etc. While one can often construct a model that is capable of accurate predictions over some limited time scale, the inability to incorporate complete biological "reality" will necessarily decrease the predictive power of such a model through time.
The most useful application of mathematical or simulation models, in my opinion, are those that seek to represent one or more hypotheses (which are, of course, models themselves) about the mechanisms behind some observation. In this approach, the focus is on the construction and analysis of the model. In the construction phase, one is forced to be explicit about the assumptions they make (something that is not necessary with "verbal" hypotheses). In the analysis phase, it is possible to generate predictions that are dependent on the assumptions of the model, and/or to determine the sensitivity of the system to particular components of the system. I would suggest that you seek a course that teaches you the tools of model building (programming, differential equations, matrix models, etc.), but emphasizes model analysis and the use of models as quantitative hypotheses. The Santa Fe Institute has a wonderful summer program that might be one to look at for starters, but it is quite selective. -- Dr. Christopher P. Brooks Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University P.O. Box GY Mississippi State, MS 39762 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 662.325.8591 Fax: 662.325.7939 http://www.msstate.edu/dept/biosciences/brooks/
