Modeling Dynamic Climate Systems (Modeling Dynamic Systems)

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 does not 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.

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.
walter A. Robinson Is Associate Professor Of Atmospheric Sciences At The University Of Illinois At Urbana-chamaign.

In the process of building and using models to comprehend the dynamics of the atmosphere, ocean and climate, the reader will learn how the different components of climate systems function, interact with each other, and vary over time. Topics include the stability of climate, Earths 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. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Two Paradigms of Stability....Pages 1-10 Models of the Global Climate....Pages 11-51 Thermodynamics and Dynamics in the Vertical....Pages 52-67 Dynamics of Horizontal Motion....Pages 68-90 Dynamics of Circulation and Vorticity....Pages 91-120 Dynamical Models of the Climate....Pages 121-153 Climate Variations....Pages 154-191 Back Matter....Pages 193-210 Life has existed on Earth for more than 3 billion years.