This two-day course provides a foundation for developing and running state-and-transition simulation models of landscape change using the free ST-Sim software. The course covers state-and-transition simulation modeling concepts, how to use ST-Sim to create models of landscape change and terrestrial carbon dynamics, and how to run the models and interpret the results. Examples of state-and-transition simulation models in a range of ecosystems will be presented, including models of both vegetation dynamics and land use/land cover change.
Audience: Scientists, managers and analysts from any and all land management agencies, including new and undecided users of ST-Sim.
Course Prerequisites: Participants will be responsible for completing approximately 6 hours of assigned homework material on how to use the ST-Sim software prior to the course (using a computer with 64-bit Windows 7 or higher).