What is a model in geography?

Answer 1

A model of ecology is generally a model with several adjustable parameters which, when run, provides insight into how ecological systems operate. These can be extremely complicated, or rather simple.

Many of the models are based on economic principles, how much energy an organism must expend during a certain activity versus how much energy is available for consumption in the environment. These interactions provide a basis for understanding both how and why organisms behave in the ways they do.

The Optimal Foraging Theory is one such way of modeling a simple ecosystem. Basically it seeks to answer the question of when an organism will move to seek a new feeding area.

See the Related Links for more information on Optimal Foraging Theory.

Answer 2

Ecologists make models for the same reason that other scientists (or engineers) make models: to better understand the operation of the systems they study (or design). These models may be either physical analogs or numerical simulations that are run as programs on digital computers.