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dc.contributor.advisorGuertin, D. Phillipen_US
dc.contributor.authorBall, George LeRoy.
dc.creatorBall, George LeRoy.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-31T17:24:23Z
dc.date.available2011-10-31T17:24:23Z
dc.date.issued1990en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10150/184986
dc.description.abstractThe objective of this dissertation is to develop a new research tool, PROMAP, which will allow the construction of models that satisfy the requirement of spatial distribution and hierarchical interactions within a dynamic framework. An analysis of the form of ecosystems is followed by an examination of current attempts at ecosystem modeling using spatial relationships. An examination of the analytical procedures used in the spatial modeling process, results in a set of criteria that a suitable modeling system should incorporate. These criteria are: the use of real numbers; iterative processing; flexible data retrieval; and neighborhood analytical procedures. The basic configuration of PROMAP is discussed with an emphasis on the mathematical procedures and the capability for designing cellular automata within the system. The representation of biophysical systems into a set of spatial transition functions is described in relation to the development of nested hierarchies called Q-morphisms. Having established the design of PROMAP, a suitable test is devised using the simulation of surface fire spread. A model called FIREMAP is developed and the results are compared to expected fire shapes under Zero State Conditions. These conditions are defined as uniform fuel, zero slope and zero wind with additional factors held constant. Other simulations of fire spread are made by relaxing the conditions to achieve wind driven fires and the response to potential impediments to fire spread. The response of the simulation shows an accurate correspondence between the simulation and the expected fire shape. As a final test of the model, all restrictions are removed and a simulation is made under actual conditions of complex terrain, and non-uniform fuels using data collected on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in southeast Arizona. Deficiencies of PROMAP and FIREMAP are discussed as well as future implications for the FIREMAP model as a management tool.
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherThe University of Arizona.en_US
dc.rightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.en_US
dc.subjectBiologyen_US
dc.titleA spatial dynamic approach to ecological modeling: Simulating fire spread.en_US
dc.typetexten_US
dc.typeDissertation-Reproduction (electronic)en_US
dc.identifier.oclc706832768en_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Arizonaen_US
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen_US
dc.contributor.committeememberZwolinski, Malcolmen_US
dc.contributor.committeememberGimblett, H. Randalen_US
dc.contributor.committeememberHeed, William B.en_US
dc.contributor.committeememberStrauss, Richarden_US
dc.identifier.proquest9024498en_US
thesis.degree.disciplineRenewable Natural Resourcesen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineGraduate Collegeen_US
thesis.degree.namePh.D.en_US
dc.description.noteThis item was digitized from a paper original and/or a microfilm copy. If you need higher-resolution images for any content in this item, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.
dc.description.admin-noteOriginal file replaced with corrected file August 2023.
refterms.dateFOA2018-06-15T22:54:07Z
html.description.abstractThe objective of this dissertation is to develop a new research tool, PROMAP, which will allow the construction of models that satisfy the requirement of spatial distribution and hierarchical interactions within a dynamic framework. An analysis of the form of ecosystems is followed by an examination of current attempts at ecosystem modeling using spatial relationships. An examination of the analytical procedures used in the spatial modeling process, results in a set of criteria that a suitable modeling system should incorporate. These criteria are: the use of real numbers; iterative processing; flexible data retrieval; and neighborhood analytical procedures. The basic configuration of PROMAP is discussed with an emphasis on the mathematical procedures and the capability for designing cellular automata within the system. The representation of biophysical systems into a set of spatial transition functions is described in relation to the development of nested hierarchies called Q-morphisms. Having established the design of PROMAP, a suitable test is devised using the simulation of surface fire spread. A model called FIREMAP is developed and the results are compared to expected fire shapes under Zero State Conditions. These conditions are defined as uniform fuel, zero slope and zero wind with additional factors held constant. Other simulations of fire spread are made by relaxing the conditions to achieve wind driven fires and the response to potential impediments to fire spread. The response of the simulation shows an accurate correspondence between the simulation and the expected fire shape. As a final test of the model, all restrictions are removed and a simulation is made under actual conditions of complex terrain, and non-uniform fuels using data collected on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in southeast Arizona. Deficiencies of PROMAP and FIREMAP are discussed as well as future implications for the FIREMAP model as a management tool.


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