Ecological-Economic Modelling for Biodiversity Conservation

Martin Drechsler is a Senior Scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ , Germany. His research includes the mathematical modelling of populations in fragmented and dynamic landscapes, the mathematical ecological-economic analysis of instruments and strategies for biodiversity conservation, the model-based assessment of renewable energy deployment, and mathematical optimization and decision theory. He originally trained as a physicist, which provided him with the necessary mathematical background to understand, develop and analyse mathematical models. Twenty years ago, he started collaborating with economists to contribute to the development of the research field of ecological-economic modelling. In the field of ecological-economic modelling he is one of the most productive authors.

• Part I. Modelling: 1. What is a model?; 2. Purposes of modelling; 3. Typical model features; Part II. Ecological Modelling: 4. Homogenous deterministic population models; 5. Homogenous stochastic population models; 6. Spatial population models; 7. Models with individual variability; 8. Models of biodiversity; Part III. Economic Modelling: 9. Instruments for biodiversity conservation; 10. Game theory; 11. Incentive design; 12. Modelling human decisions; 13. The agglomeration bonus; Part IV. Ecological-Economic Modelling: 14. Foundations of ecological-economic modelling; 15. Benefits and challenges of ecological-economic modelling; 16. Integration of ecological and economic models; 17. Examples of ecological-economic modelling; 18. Outlook.

'… the book aims to give a comprehensive survey of useful mathematical methods relevant to environmental policy design. The author stops to explain core concepts and provide historical context where necessary.' Chay Paterson, zbMATH