Transport Processes in Nature

"This book provides a new and general perspective on how events or conditions in environmental space have influences elsewhere. In the first half of the book, the authors introduce the general question of propagation of ecological influences through environmental space (terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial), then present a system for its analysis by organization into four components: initiating events or conditions, vectors conducting influences over space, entities that are transported, and the consequences of these propagation processes. Each of these components is rich in variation and logical complexity. Methods for representing environmental heterogeneity and for modeling transport processes are discussed in the context of such propagations. In the second half of the book, properties of eight general transport vectors and examples of transport models in realistic ecological situations are explained. For each of the vectors, a simulation model linked with ArcView GIS is provided on a CD included with the book (users require access to ArcView GIS software). Although set in an ecological context, the concepts presented will also be of direct relevance to a range of disciplines within the earth and atmospheric sciences."--Jacket.