Basic Modeling Concepts in Environmental Systems Models

Abstract

Chapter Objectives—

After you finish this chapter,you should be able to:

• 1. Describe five behavior patterns that are present in many dynamic systems. These five patterns serve as the building blocks for many complicated systems models. The five behavior patterns are:

  • Linear growth or decay

  • Exponential growth or decay

  • Logistic growth

  • Overshoot and collapse

  • Oscillation

• 2. Construct and recognize systems diagrams for systems exhibiting each type of behavior.

• 3. Describe the underlying mathematical relationships behind each type.

• 4. Identify the types of feedback required to create each type of behavior and determine conditions under which each pattern achieves steady-state behavior.

• 5. Identify environmental systems where each type of behavior exists.