Walter A. Robinson – författare

The dynamics of the atmosphere, ocean, and climate are inherently nonlinear and complex, making computer models ideal for accurate, complete understanding of these systems. In the process of building and using models, the reader of this book will learn how the different components of climate systems function, interact with each other, and vary over time. Topics covered include the stability of climate, earth's energy balance, parcel dynamics in the atmosphere, the mechanisms of heat transport in the climate system, and mechanisms of climate variability. Special attention is given to the effects of climate change. The book is accompanied by a cross-platform CD containing models and a run-time version of STELLA (R) software.

The world consists of many complex systems, ranging from our own bodies to ecosystems to economic systems. Despite their diversity, complex sys­ tems have many structural and functional features in common that can be effectively modeled using powerful, user-friendly software. As a result, vir­ tually anyone can explore the nature of complex systems and their dynam­ ical behavior under a range of assumptions and conditions. This ability to model dynamic systems is already having a powerful influence on teaching and studying complexity. The books in this series will promote this revolution in "systems think­ ing" by integrating skills of numeracy and techniques of dynamic modeling into a variety of disciplines. The unifying theme across the series will be the power and simplicity of the model-building process, and all books are de­ signed to engage readers in developing their own models for exploration of the dynamics of systems that are of interest to them. Modeling Dynamic Systems doesnot endorse any particular modeling paradigm or software. Rather, the volumes in the series will emphasize sim­ plicity of learning, expressive power, and the speed of execution as priori­ ties that will facilitate deeper system understanding.