These interactive web-based training modules were developed by the former Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM), as a follow-up to CREM’s Guidance Document on the Development, Evaluation and Application of Environmental Models finalized in March 2009.

Guidance Document on the Development, Evaluation and Application of Environmental Models

About this Training

• These modules are designed to provide overviews of technical aspects of environmental modeling and best modeling practices.
• Users may work and learn at their own pace.
• Training modules are available in two versions:
  • HTML
  • Adobe PDF

HTML Versions

1. Environmental Modeling 101
2. The Model Life-cycle
3. Best Modeling Practices: Development
4. Best Modeling Practices: Evaluation
5. Best Modeling Practices: Application
6. Integrated Modeling 101
7. The Legal Aspects of Modeling
8. Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analyses

PDF Versions

• Module #1: Environmental Modeling 101 (PDF)(29 pp, 613 K)
  This module has four main objectives: 1. Provide a basic introduction to environmental modeling. 2. Define and identify types of environmental models. 3. Know how and why models are used in environmental sciences. 4. Learn the ‘model life-cycle’.
• Module #2: The Model Life-cycle (PDF)(42 pp, 1 MB)
  This module has three main objectives that will provide further insight into environmental modeling: 1. Define the ‘model life-cycle’. 2. Explore the stages of a model life-cycle. 3. Introduction to strategies for the development, evaluation, and application of models.
• Module #3: Best Modeling Practices: Model Development (PDF)(41 pp, 858 K)
  The objectives of this module are to: Identify the ‘best modeling practices’ and strategies for the Development Stage of the ‘model life-cycle’; and define the steps of model development.
• Module #4: Best Modeling Practices: Model Evaluation (PDF)(49 pp, 2 MB)
  The objectives of this module are to: explore the topic of model evaluation and identify the ‘best modeling practices’; and learn strategies for the Evaluation Stage of the ‘model life-cycle’.
• Module #5: Best Modeling Practices: Model Application (PDF)(34 pp, 1 MB)
  This module explains the Model Application Stage, which is the final step of the ‘model life-cycle’.
• Module #6: Integrated Modeling 101 (PDF)(47 pp, 1 MB)
  This module introduces the concepts of integrated modeling, provides illustrative case studies and examples of integrated modeling efforts, and outlines the role of integrated modeling in facilitating integrative systems analysis and decision making.
• Module #7: Legal Aspects of Environmental Modeling (PDF)(31 pp, 1 MB)
  This module explores examples of legal challenges directed at the modeling used to inform Agency decisions and offer ‘best modeling practices’ to reduce the likelihood of legal challenges.
• Module #8: Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analyses (PDF)(55 pp, 2 MB)
  This module provides extended guidance on the concepts of sensitivity and uncertainty analyses – not thorough instruction on the available methods or practices.