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Fundamentals of Simulation Modeling in the Hydrologic Sciences:
Introduction
Alejandro Flores, Ph.D.Fall 2010
Introduction
What is a model? Why do we need/want to use models in hydrology?
What is a model?
A model is a mathematical abstraction of reality: Requires simplification of processes Often draw analogies between processes and
existing mathematical methods and formulae Often requires “parameterization”
A model is nothing more than a set of equations that collectively represent one or more hypothesis/hypotheses
What is a model?
A model is NOT… A perfect representation of reality (although
sometime it’s convenient to assume it to be) A substitute for observation
This is an Airbus A380
This is a model of an Airbus A380
This is another model of an A380
This is another model of an A380
Yet another model of an A380…
Just one more for good measure
So, then…
What do all these models have in common? How do they differ?
What is the purpose of each? Who is the audience? What is the balance between simplicity and fidelity?
Why do we model in hydrology?
What are some reasons we need to model in hydrology?
What are some tradeoffs between fidelity/realism and simplicity?
Who are our audiences? What are the consequences of inaccuracy for each
audience?
