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Guiding Concepts for Ecological Model Comparison and Selection

When using the Compare feature and selecting the option, ’EM Descriptors by Modeling Concepts,’ stepwise guidance is provided on the following topics:

Conceptual Model

A conceptual model, consisting of a written description and visual representation of expected relationships between ecosystem service production processes and the important natural and human-caused influences on those processes, should be developed before undertaking any computational modeling effort. Conceptual model development helps to clarify modeling needs, goals and approach. This topic links externally to EPA guidance on the preparation of Conceptual Models.

Modeling Objective

Modeling objective helps explore the user's objectives for ecological modeling, and whether the selected EMs are likely to meet those objectives.

Modeling Context

Context similarity explores the geographic, temporal, and ecological contexts and scales to which selected EMs have been applied, so the user can assess similarity to a context of interest.

Potential for Model Linkage

Sometimes multiple EMs can be linked in sequence to accomplish a modeling objective. Linkage is possible when the response variables from one EM are similar to one or more predictors of another EM. The sorting of EM variables using the ESML Variable Classification Hierarchy can make linkages over this spectrum easier to visualize.

Feasibility of Model Use

Feasibility of use helps the user assess the degree of difficulty likely to be encountered when applying candidate EMs in a new setting.

Model Certainty

Model certainty examines the use of calibration, validation, uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis procedures for the selected EMs.

Model Structural Information

Model structural information describes various structural and computational features of the selected EMs.

Though presented separately, these concepts are interdependent, and information presented under one concept may have relevance to other concepts as well.