The use of computer models in conservation biology, landscape
ecology, and other disciplines is increasing. Models are
essential tools for researchers who must forecast future
conditions, weigh competing recovery and mitigation strategies,
or evaluate the consequences of stressor interactions on one or
more populations. This seminar some will highlight advances
made possible by recent developments in simulation modeling. We
will focus on a specific computer model named HexSim that is
both spatially-explicit and individual-based. Examples will be
drawn from recent work on the northern spotted owl, and on the
spread of chytrid fungus through frog populations.