William E. Grant & Todd M. Swannack 
Ecological Modeling 
A Common-Sense Approach to Theory and Practice

Ecological Modeling:A Commonsense Approach to Theory and
Practice explores how simulation modeling and its new
ecological applications can offer solutions to complex natural
resource management problems. This is a practical guide for
students, teachers, and professional ecologists.

* Examines four phases of the modeling process: conceptual model
formulation, quantitative model specification, model evaluation,
and model use

* Provides useful building blocks for constructing systems
simulation models

* Includes a format for reporting the development and use of
simulation models

* Offers an integrated systems perspective for students, faculty,
and professionals

* Features helpful insights from the author, gained over 30 years
of university teaching

‘I can strongly recommend the book as textbook for all courses
in population dynamic modeling particularly when the course is
planned for the second or third year of a bachelor study in
ecology, environmental science or ecological engineering. It
uncovers very clearly for the readers the scientific idea and
thinking behind modeling and all the necessary steps in the
development of models.’

Ecological Modeling Journal, 2009

About the author

Bill Grant has taught ecological modeling in the Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (WFSC) at Texas A&M
University since 1976, has served on the Board of Governors and as
President of the International Society for Ecological Modeling, and
has been Associate Editor of the international journal
Ecological Modelling since 1997.

Todd Swannack also has taught ecological modeling in WFSC
at Texas A&M University, and has been modeling the population
dynamics of endangered species since 2002.