Gimblett, H. Randal

Gimblett, H. Randal
Organization(s): 
University of Arizona

I have published over 120 refereed papers in the field of human behaviour and ecological modeling of complex adaptive systems (CAS). Much of this research and resulting papers have focused on the development of agent-based modeling and its application to solve dynamic, ecosystem problems. The culmination of this work has led books published in 2002 "Integrating GIS and Agent Based Modeling Techniques for Understanding Social and Ecological Processes" by the Oxford University Press and 2008 "Monitoring, Simulation and Management of Visitor Landscapes" by the University of Arizona Press. These publications were done in collaboration with the Santa Fe Institute, renowned for their work in Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and a group of colleagues that attended conferences every other year starting at Bodenkultur University, Vienna, Austria in 2002, Rovaniemi, Finland in 2004 and most recently in Rapperswill, Switzerland in 2006. These books feature work that brought together scientists, computer programmers and biologists who are interested in understanding CAS.

Our innovations have paved the way for many scientists, researchers and decision makers around the world who are grappling with complex, human-environment problems that cannot be solved using other statistical and stochastic modeling techniques. I have had experience in designing and implementing agent-based modeling applications in many settings around the world. I have worked in conjunction with Universities, Non-profit Organizations and government agencies such as the US National Park Service on scenic and wild rivers applications in the development of a "Intelligent Agent Model for Simulating and Evaluating River Trip Scenarios for the Grand Canyon National Park - River Trip Simulation Project - National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park" to "Simulating Visitor Movement and Associated Impacts in Prince William Sound, Alaska." These volumes present some excellent examples that place simulation into a useful and effective position as an integral part of decision-making. When this occurs on a more regular based, the true value of simulation will be realized as an integral and essential component of a decision-making process. Like the explosion of the development and use of Geographic Information Systems in the 70's and early 80's, the early beginnings of spatial agent-based simulations will become common practice in the near future.

Research Interests: 
Assessment of recreation impacts, Evaluating human use patterns, interactions&experiential responses across landscapes, Human/wildlife interactions, Modeling human-landscape systems across space&time, Land use/cover modeling in response to climate change, stakeholder involvement/conflict resolution
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