Modeling water resources: have we got it right?
Aquatic scientists generally recognize that controlled experiments are required to establish cause-effect relationships (e.g., Havens and Aumen, 2000), and understanding ecological processes is key to accurately predicting complex ecosystem responses. However, resource managers may have at their disposal only a limited amount of observational data when faced with management decisions. Hence, there may be a tendency to use simple empirical models for decision making. An example of eutrophication management in lakes illustrates a pitfall of this approach when used independently of other scientific information.
Havens
K E
KE
South Florida Watet Management District, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680, USA.
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*