Modelling the Australian Savanna

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first part of an investigation by the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Savannas Management. The investigation aims to develop a regional dynamic modelling capacity which enables the simulation of shocks to the Savanna economy, environment and population. This first part is a survey of Savanna stakeholders to find out what types of simulations they are interested in and to conduct a desktop analysis of existing modelling approaches to assess their structural suitability for the task. The modelling type which shows most promise (at this stage) is a computable general equilibrium model with add-on modules to incorporate environmental, demographic and other social factors.