June 4, 2012: FB2-Seminar

13 c.t., lecture hall, western shore building

Abstract:

There has been a growing awareness in recent years that collaborations between modellers and observationalists/experimentalists have to further evolve. Research in both fields start from conceptual models, but differences remain in scientific approach and inference. Therefore, communication and interaction between experimentalists and modellers prove to be difficult tasks. Here we give an overview of mutual benefits, as we share our perception of why modelling is more then to play theoretical games. We exemplify how modeling of marine biogeochemistry and of plankton ecosystems should be approached to promote the credibility of complex model results. In this respect we stress the necessity in communicating model limitations and uncertainties. This requires the incorporation of observations and a good understanding of model complexity and ist behaviour. We illustrate the added value of formalizing ecological knowledge in a mathematical model. Sensitivity analyses and model calibrations are used to illustrate our limitations in constraining model solutions, which is ultimately linked to formal data requirements. Suggestions on how to facilitate a model-data integration are presented.