Abstract
Over the last several decades, public awareness has been raised concerning the degradation of mangroves linked to massive coastal destruction and a loss of valuable ecosystem functions. For an understanding the dynamics of mangrove systems and to forecast how it might change its dynamics under varying environmental conditions and management scenarios, three different models have been applied within the frame of the MADAM project: (1) a trophic model has been used in order to understand the mechanisms regulating productivity and energy flows; (2) the individual-based forest model KiWi has been used to carry out simulation experiments focusing on forest dynamics and changing forest structure after clear-cut and other canopy disturbances; and (3) the individual-based model IBU has been used in order to understand the recovery of the crab population after fishery on the scale of a plot and a time frame of several weeks. All three models benefited from the field data obtained in the frame of the project being essential for a solid parameterization of the models for the particular purposes and study sites. Also, the models stimulated field studies regarding processes that needed further study. This chapter introduces the main features of the models and summarizes the simulation studies carried out related to various problems related to systems functioning under varying environmental conditions.
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Berger, U., Wolff, M. (2010). System Processes and Forest Development. In: Saint-Paul, U., Schneider, H. (eds) Mangrove Dynamics and Management in North Brazil. Ecological Studies, vol 211. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13457-9_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13457-9_9
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