This report was undertaken on local, regional, state and federal levels in the United States to analyse the impact residuals have on environmental quality and to emphasise the need for Residuals- Environmental quality management (REQM). Originally published in 1982, this study brings together information on approaches for analysing natural systems and which factors to consider when choosing an approach. This title will be of interest to students of environmental studies as well as professionals and policy makers.

Systems and their mathematical description play an important role in all branches of science. This book offers an introduction to mathematical modeling techniques. It is intended for undergrad students in applied natural science, in particular earth and environmental science, environmental engineering, as well as ecology, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, agronomy, and forestry. The focus is on developing the basic methods of modeling. Students will learn how to build mathematical models of their own, but also how to analyze the properties of existing models. The book neither derives mathematical formulae, nor does it describe modeling software, instead focusing on the fundamental concepts behind mathematical models. A formulary in the appendix summarizes the necessary mathematical knowledge. To support independent learners, numerous examples and problems from various scientific disciplines are provided throughout the book. Thanks in no small part to the cartoons by Nikolas Stürchler, this introduction to the colorful world of modeling is both entertaining and rich in content

Systems Analysis in Ecology surveys the problems and techniques of systems analysis in ecology. The opening and closing chapters were written by the editor, the first to explain why systems analysis is needed in ecology and what is meant by the term, and the last to point out the implications of this new approach for the future development of ecology. The book opens with a discussion of the nature of systems analysis. This is followed by separate chapters on the complexity of ecological systems and problems in their study and management; the organization and analytical procedures required by a large ecological systems study; telemetry and automatic data acquisition systems; and surveillance of the activities of small mammals. Subsequent chapters deal with the analysis of bird navigation experiments; the analysis of determination in population systems; building models of complex ecological systems; mathematical tools for the design of better salmon fishery management systems; and the evolution of ecological research programs.

Genetic algorithms are playing an increasingly important role in studies of complex adaptive systems, ranging from adaptive agents in economic theory to the use of machine learning techniques in the design of complex devices such as aircraft turbines and integrated circuits. Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems is the book that initiated this field of study, presenting the theoretical foundations and exploring applications. In its most familiar form, adaptation is a biological process, whereby organisms evolve by rearranging genetic material to survive in environments confronting them. In this now classic work, Holland presents a mathematical model that allows for the nonlinearity of such complex interactions. He demonstrates the model's universality by applying it to economics, physiological psychology, game theory, and artificial intelligence and then outlines the way in which this approach modifies the traditional views of mathematical genetics. Initially applying his concepts to simply defined artificial systems with limited numbers of parameters, Holland goes on to explore their use in the study of a wide range of complex, naturally occuring processes, concentrating on systems having multiple factors that interact in nonlinear ways. Along the way he accounts for major effects of coadaptation and coevolution: the emergence of building blocks, or schemata, that are recombined and passed on to succeeding generations to provide, innovations and improvements.

This is a Big History book presenting perspectives that have helped thousands of Christians deepen their understanding of nature. Accessible and enlightening, the book explores nature in a way that accommodates both scientific and religious viewpoints. Topics include answers to these questions: ● How do we identify truth, and are scientific discoveries true? ● What produced the order we see in nature? ● How do atoms, stars, and planets form, and how did the Universe develop? ● How was Earth organized, and how did it become habitable? ● What made organisms the way they are, and how do bodies and species form? This is a great book for Christians striving to understand scientific discoveries. (This title is also available in paperback through Amazon.)

Benefit-cost analysis. Conceptual framework. Organization of the guide. Institutional and planning context. Multiple objetive nature of decisions. Planning and decision-making context. Organizational and administrative structure. Principles and environmental quality extensions of benefit-costs analysis. The purpose of benefit-cost analysis. Sources of values. Investment planning and decisions. Extension of benefit-cost analysis to environmental quality. Economic valuation techniques. Analyzing activities. Key definitions and concepts. Analyzing activities. Some examples of analysis. Analyzing effects on natural systems and receptors. Some problems in analyzing effects. Types of models for analyzing effects. Approaches to estimating effects. Choosing a model or set of models. Examples of estimating effects on natural systems. Some problems in estimating effects on natural systems. Approaches for estimating effects on receptors. Environmental quality valuation from the benefit side. Valuing benefits - a brief summary. Market value or productivity approaches. Surrogate market approaches. Litigation and compensation. Survey-based valuation techniques. Environmental quality valuation from the cost side. Cost analysis techniques. Cost-effectiveness analysis. Multiactivity economic-environmental quality models. Input-output models. Linear-programming models of environmental quality. Other models.