Common challenges for ecological modelling: Synthesis of facilitated discussions held at the symposia organized for the 2009 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modelling in Quebec City, Canada

Authors: LAROCQUE, GUY - Natural Resources Canada; MAILLY, DANIEL - Canada Ministry Of Natural Resources; YUE, TANG - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; ANAND, MICHAEL - University Of Guelph; PENG, CHIANG - University Of Quebec; KAZANCI, CHARLES - University Of Georgia; ETTERSON, MARK - Us Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); GOETHALS, PAUL - Ghent University; JORGENSEN, SVEN - University Of Copenhagen; SCHRAMSKI, JEFFREY - University Of Georgia; MCINTIRE, ERIC - University Of Laval; MARCEAU, DANIELLE - University Of Calgary; CHEN, BING-YU - Beijing Normal University; CHEN, GAILING - Beijing Normal University; YANG, ZIANG - Beijing Normal University; NOVOTNA, BRYCE - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada; LUCKAI, NANCY - Lakehead University; BHATTI, JAGTAR - Natural Resources Canada; LIU, JINXSUN - Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc (SGT, INC); MUNSON, ALBERT - University Of Laval; GORDON, ANDREW - University Of Guelph; Ascough Ii, James

Submitted to: Ecological Modelling
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2011
Publication Date: 4/12/2011
Citation: Larocque, G.R., Mailly, D., Yue, T.X., Anand, M., Peng, C., Kazanci, C., Etterson, M., Goethals, P., Jorgensen, S.E., Schramski, J.R., Mcintire, E.J., Marceau, D.J., Chen, B., Chen, G.Q., Yang, Z.F., Novotna, B., Luckai, N.G., Bhatti, J.S., Liu, J., Munson, A., Gordon, A.M., Ascough II, J.C. 2011. Common challenges for ecological modelling: Synthesis of facilitated discussions held at the symposia organized for the 2009 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modelling in Quebec City, Canada. Ecological Modelling. 222(14):2456-2468.

Interpretive Summary: The eleven symposia organized for the 2009 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM 2009) held in Quebec City, Canada, October 6-9, 2009, included facilitated discussion sessions following formal presentations. The facilitated discussions were task-oriented around four basic questions: (1) key challenges in the research area, (2) generating and sharing new ideas, (3) improving collaboration and networking, and (4) increasing visibility to decision-makers, partners and clients. Common challenges that emerged from the symposia included the need for improved communication and collaboration among different academic disciplines, further progress in both theoretical and practical modelling approaches, and accentuation of technology transfer. Regarding the generation and sharing of new ideas, the main issue that emerged was the type of positive interactions that should be encouraged among potential collaborators. The usefulness of the Internet, particularly for the sharing of open-source software and for discussion forums, was highlighted for improving collaboration and networking. Several communication tools are available today, and it is important for modellers to use them more intensively. Visibility can be increased by publishing professional newsletters, maintaining informal contacts with the public, and developing simplified analytical frameworks and pilot studies. Specific issues raised in each symposium are also discussed.

Technical Abstract: The eleven symposia organized for the 2009 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM 2009) held in Quebec City, Canada, October 6-9, 2009, included facilitated discussion sessions following formal presentations. Each symposium focused on a specific subject, and all the subjects could be classified into three broad categories: theoretical development, population dynamics and ecosystem processes. Following discussions with the symposia organizers, which indicated that they all shared similar issues and concerns, the facilitated discussions were task-oriented around four basic questions: (1) key challenges in the research area, (2) generating and sharing new ideas, (3) improving collaboration and networking, and (4) increasing visibility to decision-makers, partners and clients. Common challenges that emerged from the symposia included the need for improved communication and collaboration among different academic disciplines, further progress in both theoretical and practical modelling approaches, and accentuation of technology transfer. Regarding the generation and sharing of new ideas, the main issue that emerged was the type of positive interactions that should be encouraged among potential collaborators. The usefulness of the Internet, particularly for the sharing of open-source software and for discussion forums, was highlighted for improving collaboration and networking. Several communication tools are available today, and it is important for modellers to use them more intensively. Visibility can be increased by publishing professional newsletters, maintaining informal contacts with the public, organizing educational sessions in primary and secondary schools, and developing simplified analytical frameworks and pilot studies. Specific issues raised in each symposium are also discussed.