Landscape Modeling
Xi, Weimin; Coulson, Robert N.; Waldron, John D.; Tchakerian, Maria D.; Lafon, Charles W.;
Cairns, David M.; Birt, Andrew G.; Klepzig, Kier D. (2009). Landscape modeling for forest restoration planning and assessment: lessons from the Southern Appalachian
Mountains. Journal of Forestry, 191-198. Retrieved September 10, 2011 at http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/ja_klepzig021.pdf
Landscape modeling is a technique used to evaluate the projected outcomes of various land management and restoration scenarios and strategies (Xi et al. 2009: 191). The authors of the article "Landscape modeling for forest restoration planning and assessment: lessons from the Southern Appalachian Mountains" used the landscape simulation computer model LANDIS to compare and contrast different strategies for restoring damaged forests in the southern Appalachians. Determining the effects of restoration projects can be difficult, given the varied nature of the causes of the damage. In this specific case, the southern pine beetle was responsible, but other causes of forest damage...
The goals of restoration can likewise be controversial and involve prioritizing a diverse range of criteria, including "aesthetics, biodiversity, recreation, and economic cost" (Xi et al. 2009: 192). Even when the goals are agreed upon, the success of various processes can be difficult to monitor, given that such efforts are invariably long-term in nature and will be impacted by added environmental stressors, such as new storms and pests. This also makes it difficult to learn from the results of past projects.
Goals for 'improving the environment' can be extremely vague and conceptual in nature. Computer modeling can project vegetation changes and the response of the environment to various practices over a long-term duration. Modeling programs like LANDIS "allows forest succession and disturbances to operate on cellular landscapes comprising heterogeneous patterns" and thus gives scientists objective data that can be used when setting priorities, such as the…
