Zeide, B. 1998.
What kind of bricks should we use to build growth
models: physiological or ecological? In Empirical and
Process-Based Models for Forest Tree and Stand Growth Simulation.
September 21-27, 1998. Oeiras, Portugal.
(in press)
Difficulties of process modeling do not mean that we should
revert to purely empirical data-based models for assessing forest
dynamics. What is needed now is further development of modeling
methodology. If physiological models are not yet sufficiently
developed, we can use larger components: processes from the
ecological level such as lateral expansion of trees, gap
dynamics, change of crown form, effect of stand density on
diameter growth or stand structure, and many others. Ecological
processes integrate all relevant physiological processes,
including those still unknown to us, much better than any
computer model will ever be able to do. Perhaps in the future,
when we will be equipped to measure rather than to conjure the
host of parameter values required for physiological modeling,
this and even deeper molecular level modeling will be attractive.
As for the present, the ecological level appears more productive
and rewarding. And of course, all of the levels of scientific
inquiry are complementary and indispensable.