Author: Andres Weintraub
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 038771815X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 608
Book Description
Here is the first systematic handbook treatment of quantitative modeling natural resource problems, their allocated efficient use, and societal and economic impact. Andrés Weintraub is the very top person in Natural Resource research. He has selected co-editors who are at the top of the sub-fields in natural resources: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining. The book covers these areas with contributions from researchers on, among others, modeling natural research problems, quantifying data, and developing algorithms.
Handbook of Operations Research in Natural Resources
Author: Andres Weintraub
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 038771815X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 608
Book Description
Here is the first systematic handbook treatment of quantitative modeling natural resource problems, their allocated efficient use, and societal and economic impact. Andrés Weintraub is the very top person in Natural Resource research. He has selected co-editors who are at the top of the sub-fields in natural resources: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining. The book covers these areas with contributions from researchers on, among others, modeling natural research problems, quantifying data, and developing algorithms.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 038771815X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 608
Book Description
Here is the first systematic handbook treatment of quantitative modeling natural resource problems, their allocated efficient use, and societal and economic impact. Andrés Weintraub is the very top person in Natural Resource research. He has selected co-editors who are at the top of the sub-fields in natural resources: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining. The book covers these areas with contributions from researchers on, among others, modeling natural research problems, quantifying data, and developing algorithms.
Operations Research Applications in Natural Resources Management
Author: Kaveh Sheibani
Publisher: ORLAB Analytics
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 66
Book Description
The use of operations research (OR) in natural resources management (NRM) is an evolving research field with many application areas. Decision makers in NRM are often not aware of the possibilities that OR techniques offer them to solve their daily challenges. This special issue contributes to close this gap by showing how OR can be useful in different application areas of NRM.
Publisher: ORLAB Analytics
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 66
Book Description
The use of operations research (OR) in natural resources management (NRM) is an evolving research field with many application areas. Decision makers in NRM are often not aware of the possibilities that OR techniques offer them to solve their daily challenges. This special issue contributes to close this gap by showing how OR can be useful in different application areas of NRM.
Operations Research and Management Science Handbook
Author: A. Ravi Ravindran
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1420009710
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 900
Book Description
Operations Research (OR) began as an interdisciplinary activity to solve complex military problems during World War II. Utilizing principles from mathematics, engineering, business, computer science, economics, and statistics, OR has developed into a full fledged academic discipline with practical application in business, industry, government and m
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1420009710
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 900
Book Description
Operations Research (OR) began as an interdisciplinary activity to solve complex military problems during World War II. Utilizing principles from mathematics, engineering, business, computer science, economics, and statistics, OR has developed into a full fledged academic discipline with practical application in business, industry, government and m
Handbook of Research on Natural Computing for Optimization Problems
Author: Mandal, Jyotsna Kumar
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522500596
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 1199
Book Description
Nature-inspired computation is an interdisciplinary topic area that connects the natural sciences to computer science. Since natural computing is utilized in a variety of disciplines, it is imperative to research its capabilities in solving optimization issues. The Handbook of Research on Natural Computing for Optimization Problems discusses nascent optimization procedures in nature-inspired computation and the innovative tools and techniques being utilized in the field. Highlighting empirical research and best practices concerning various optimization issues, this publication is a comprehensive reference for researchers, academicians, students, scientists, and technology developers interested in a multidisciplinary perspective on natural computational systems.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522500596
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 1199
Book Description
Nature-inspired computation is an interdisciplinary topic area that connects the natural sciences to computer science. Since natural computing is utilized in a variety of disciplines, it is imperative to research its capabilities in solving optimization issues. The Handbook of Research on Natural Computing for Optimization Problems discusses nascent optimization procedures in nature-inspired computation and the innovative tools and techniques being utilized in the field. Highlighting empirical research and best practices concerning various optimization issues, this publication is a comprehensive reference for researchers, academicians, students, scientists, and technology developers interested in a multidisciplinary perspective on natural computational systems.
Game Theory and Policy Making in Natural Resources and the Environment
Author: Ariel Dinar
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135976090
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 434
Book Description
Game Theory has become one of the main analytical tools for addressing strategic issues in the field of economics and is increasing its influence in other fields of social sciences. With the increased level of extraction of natural resources and pollution of environments, game theory gains its place in the literature and it is more and more seen as a tool for policy makers and not only for theoreticians. The book is structured into four parts dealing with the management of natural resources, the negotiation aspects of water management, water allocation through pricing and markets, and how conflicts and regulation shape the management of the environment. The first part explores game theory concepts applied to fisheries and grazing lands, which are two important natural resources. In the next two parts, several game theory methodologies are considered in the negotiation approach to water management and approaches to water pricing and markets. The last section looks at environmental protection as the end process of the interplay between conflict and regulation. This book includes chapters by experts from developing and developed countries that apply game theory to actual issues in natural resources and the environment. As such the book is extremely useful for graduate students and technical experts interested in the sustainable management of natural resource and the environment. It is also relevant to all Game Theory and Environmental Economics students.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135976090
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 434
Book Description
Game Theory has become one of the main analytical tools for addressing strategic issues in the field of economics and is increasing its influence in other fields of social sciences. With the increased level of extraction of natural resources and pollution of environments, game theory gains its place in the literature and it is more and more seen as a tool for policy makers and not only for theoreticians. The book is structured into four parts dealing with the management of natural resources, the negotiation aspects of water management, water allocation through pricing and markets, and how conflicts and regulation shape the management of the environment. The first part explores game theory concepts applied to fisheries and grazing lands, which are two important natural resources. In the next two parts, several game theory methodologies are considered in the negotiation approach to water management and approaches to water pricing and markets. The last section looks at environmental protection as the end process of the interplay between conflict and regulation. This book includes chapters by experts from developing and developed countries that apply game theory to actual issues in natural resources and the environment. As such the book is extremely useful for graduate students and technical experts interested in the sustainable management of natural resource and the environment. It is also relevant to all Game Theory and Environmental Economics students.
Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science
Author: Saul I. Gass
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461304598
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 774
Book Description
Operations Research: 1934-1941," 35, 1, 143-152; "British The goal of the Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Operational Research in World War II," 35, 3, 453-470; Management Science is to provide to decision makers and "U. S. Operations Research in World War II," 35, 6, 910-925; problem solvers in business, industry, government and and the 1984 article by Harold Lardner that appeared in academia a comprehensive overview of the wide range of Operations Research: "The Origin of Operational Research," ideas, methodologies, and synergistic forces that combine to 32, 2, 465-475. form the preeminent decision-aiding fields of operations re search and management science (OR/MS). To this end, we The Encyclopedia contains no entries that define the fields enlisted a distinguished international group of academics of operations research and management science. OR and MS and practitioners to contribute articles on subjects for are often equated to one another. If one defines them by the which they are renowned. methodologies they employ, the equation would probably The editors, working with the Encyclopedia's Editorial stand inspection. If one defines them by their historical Advisory Board, surveyed and divided OR/MS into specific developments and the classes of problems they encompass, topics that collectively encompass the foundations, applica the equation becomes fuzzy. The formalism OR grew out of tions, and emerging elements of this ever-changing field. We the operational problems of the British and U. s. military also wanted to establish the close associations that OR/MS efforts in World War II.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461304598
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 774
Book Description
Operations Research: 1934-1941," 35, 1, 143-152; "British The goal of the Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Operational Research in World War II," 35, 3, 453-470; Management Science is to provide to decision makers and "U. S. Operations Research in World War II," 35, 6, 910-925; problem solvers in business, industry, government and and the 1984 article by Harold Lardner that appeared in academia a comprehensive overview of the wide range of Operations Research: "The Origin of Operational Research," ideas, methodologies, and synergistic forces that combine to 32, 2, 465-475. form the preeminent decision-aiding fields of operations re search and management science (OR/MS). To this end, we The Encyclopedia contains no entries that define the fields enlisted a distinguished international group of academics of operations research and management science. OR and MS and practitioners to contribute articles on subjects for are often equated to one another. If one defines them by the which they are renowned. methodologies they employ, the equation would probably The editors, working with the Encyclopedia's Editorial stand inspection. If one defines them by their historical Advisory Board, surveyed and divided OR/MS into specific developments and the classes of problems they encompass, topics that collectively encompass the foundations, applica the equation becomes fuzzy. The formalism OR grew out of tions, and emerging elements of this ever-changing field. We the operational problems of the British and U. s. military also wanted to establish the close associations that OR/MS efforts in World War II.
Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2022 Workshops
Author: Osvaldo Gervasi
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031105621
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 695
Book Description
The eight-volume set LNCS 13375 – 13382 constitutes the proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications, ICCSA 2022, which was held in Malaga, Spain during July 4 – 7, 2022. The first two volumes contain the proceedings from ICCSA 2022, which are the 57 full and 24 short papers presented in these books were carefully reviewed and selected from 279 submissions. The other six volumes present the workshop proceedings, containing 285 papers out of 815 submissions. These six volumes includes the proceedings of the following workshops: Advances in Artificial Intelligence Learning Technologies: Blended Learning, STEM, Computational Thinking and Coding (AAILT 2022); Workshop on Advancements in Applied Machine-learning and Data Analytics (AAMDA 2022); Advances in information Systems and Technologies for Emergency management, risk assessment and mitigation based on the Resilience (ASTER 2022); Advances in Web Based Learning (AWBL 2022); Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers: Technologies and Applications (BDLTA 2022); Bio and Neuro inspired Computing and Applications (BIONCA 2022); Configurational Analysis For Cities (CA Cities 2022); Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM 2022), Computational and Applied Statistics (CAS 2022); Computational Mathematics, Statistics and Information Management (CMSIM); Computational Optimization and Applications (COA 2022); Computational Astrochemistry (CompAstro 2022); Computational methods for porous geomaterials (CompPor 2022); Computational Approaches for Smart, Conscious Cities (CASCC 2022); Cities, Technologies and Planning (CTP 2022); Digital Sustainability and Circular Economy (DiSCE 2022); Econometrics and Multidimensional Evaluation in Urban Environment (EMEUE 2022); Ethical AI applications for a human-centered cyber society (EthicAI 2022); Future Computing System Technologies and Applications (FiSTA 2022); Geographical Computing and Remote Sensing for Archaeology (GCRSArcheo 2022); Geodesign in Decision Making: meta planning and collaborative design for sustainable and inclusive development (GDM 2022); Geomatics in Agriculture and Forestry: new advances and perspectives (GeoForAgr 2022); Geographical Analysis, Urban Modeling, Spatial Statistics (Geog-An-Mod 2022); Geomatics for Resource Monitoring and Management (GRMM 2022); International Workshop on Information and Knowledge in the Internet of Things (IKIT 2022); 13th International Symposium on Software Quality (ISSQ 2022); Land Use monitoring for Sustanability (LUMS 2022); Machine Learning for Space and Earth Observation Data (MALSEOD 2022); Building multi-dimensional models for assessing complex environmental systems (MES 2022); MOdels and indicators for assessing and measuring the urban settlement deVElopment in the view of ZERO net land take by 2050 (MOVEto0 2022); Modelling Post-Covid cities (MPCC 2022); Ecosystem Services: nature’s contribution to people in practice. Assessment frameworks, models, mapping, and implications (NC2P 2022); New Mobility Choices For Sustainable and Alternative Scenarios (NEMOB 2022); 2nd Workshop on Privacy in the Cloud/Edge/IoT World (PCEIoT 2022); Psycho-Social Analysis of Sustainable Mobility in The Pre- and Post-Pandemic Phase (PSYCHE 2022); Processes, methods and tools towards RESilient cities and cultural heritage prone to SOD and ROD disasters (RES 2022); Scientific Computing Infrastructure (SCI 2022); Socio-Economic and Environmental Models for Land Use Management (SEMLUM 2022); 14th International Symposium on Software Engineering Processes and Applications (SEPA 2022); Ports of the future - smartness and sustainability (SmartPorts 2022); Smart Tourism (SmartTourism 2022); Sustainability Performance Assessment: models, approaches and applications toward interdisciplinary and integrated solutions (SPA 2022); Specifics of smart cities development in Europe (SPEED 2022); Smart and Sustainable Island Communities (SSIC 2022); Theoretical and Computational Chemistryand its Applications (TCCMA 2022); Transport Infrastructures for Smart Cities (TISC 2022); 14th International Workshop on Tools and Techniques in Software Development Process (TTSDP 2022); International Workshop on Urban Form Studies (UForm 2022); Urban Regeneration: Innovative Tools and Evaluation Model (URITEM 2022); International Workshop on Urban Space and Mobilities (USAM 2022); Virtual and Augmented Reality and Applications (VRA 2022); Advanced and Computational Methods for Earth Science Applications (WACM4ES 2022); Advanced Mathematics and Computing Methods in Complex Computational Systems (WAMCM 2022).
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031105621
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 695
Book Description
The eight-volume set LNCS 13375 – 13382 constitutes the proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications, ICCSA 2022, which was held in Malaga, Spain during July 4 – 7, 2022. The first two volumes contain the proceedings from ICCSA 2022, which are the 57 full and 24 short papers presented in these books were carefully reviewed and selected from 279 submissions. The other six volumes present the workshop proceedings, containing 285 papers out of 815 submissions. These six volumes includes the proceedings of the following workshops: Advances in Artificial Intelligence Learning Technologies: Blended Learning, STEM, Computational Thinking and Coding (AAILT 2022); Workshop on Advancements in Applied Machine-learning and Data Analytics (AAMDA 2022); Advances in information Systems and Technologies for Emergency management, risk assessment and mitigation based on the Resilience (ASTER 2022); Advances in Web Based Learning (AWBL 2022); Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers: Technologies and Applications (BDLTA 2022); Bio and Neuro inspired Computing and Applications (BIONCA 2022); Configurational Analysis For Cities (CA Cities 2022); Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM 2022), Computational and Applied Statistics (CAS 2022); Computational Mathematics, Statistics and Information Management (CMSIM); Computational Optimization and Applications (COA 2022); Computational Astrochemistry (CompAstro 2022); Computational methods for porous geomaterials (CompPor 2022); Computational Approaches for Smart, Conscious Cities (CASCC 2022); Cities, Technologies and Planning (CTP 2022); Digital Sustainability and Circular Economy (DiSCE 2022); Econometrics and Multidimensional Evaluation in Urban Environment (EMEUE 2022); Ethical AI applications for a human-centered cyber society (EthicAI 2022); Future Computing System Technologies and Applications (FiSTA 2022); Geographical Computing and Remote Sensing for Archaeology (GCRSArcheo 2022); Geodesign in Decision Making: meta planning and collaborative design for sustainable and inclusive development (GDM 2022); Geomatics in Agriculture and Forestry: new advances and perspectives (GeoForAgr 2022); Geographical Analysis, Urban Modeling, Spatial Statistics (Geog-An-Mod 2022); Geomatics for Resource Monitoring and Management (GRMM 2022); International Workshop on Information and Knowledge in the Internet of Things (IKIT 2022); 13th International Symposium on Software Quality (ISSQ 2022); Land Use monitoring for Sustanability (LUMS 2022); Machine Learning for Space and Earth Observation Data (MALSEOD 2022); Building multi-dimensional models for assessing complex environmental systems (MES 2022); MOdels and indicators for assessing and measuring the urban settlement deVElopment in the view of ZERO net land take by 2050 (MOVEto0 2022); Modelling Post-Covid cities (MPCC 2022); Ecosystem Services: nature’s contribution to people in practice. Assessment frameworks, models, mapping, and implications (NC2P 2022); New Mobility Choices For Sustainable and Alternative Scenarios (NEMOB 2022); 2nd Workshop on Privacy in the Cloud/Edge/IoT World (PCEIoT 2022); Psycho-Social Analysis of Sustainable Mobility in The Pre- and Post-Pandemic Phase (PSYCHE 2022); Processes, methods and tools towards RESilient cities and cultural heritage prone to SOD and ROD disasters (RES 2022); Scientific Computing Infrastructure (SCI 2022); Socio-Economic and Environmental Models for Land Use Management (SEMLUM 2022); 14th International Symposium on Software Engineering Processes and Applications (SEPA 2022); Ports of the future - smartness and sustainability (SmartPorts 2022); Smart Tourism (SmartTourism 2022); Sustainability Performance Assessment: models, approaches and applications toward interdisciplinary and integrated solutions (SPA 2022); Specifics of smart cities development in Europe (SPEED 2022); Smart and Sustainable Island Communities (SSIC 2022); Theoretical and Computational Chemistryand its Applications (TCCMA 2022); Transport Infrastructures for Smart Cities (TISC 2022); 14th International Workshop on Tools and Techniques in Software Development Process (TTSDP 2022); International Workshop on Urban Form Studies (UForm 2022); Urban Regeneration: Innovative Tools and Evaluation Model (URITEM 2022); International Workshop on Urban Space and Mobilities (USAM 2022); Virtual and Augmented Reality and Applications (VRA 2022); Advanced and Computational Methods for Earth Science Applications (WACM4ES 2022); Advanced Mathematics and Computing Methods in Complex Computational Systems (WAMCM 2022).
Manufacturing and Service Enterprise with Risks
Author: Masayuki Matsui
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387848045
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
The subject for this book is my life work on the enterprise modeling and integration by a stochastic/queuing form, and the book plan was conceived before my stay in the USA in 1996–97 as a visiting scholar. The rst title was “Stochastic Management and Design of Manufacturing Systems.” The rst version was attempted in 2001; however, this version was inappropriate and was not revised till now. It is 40 years since I attempted a stochastic approach to manufacturing and management due to the limitations of statistical approaches. The century in which industrial engineering and management rose to the forefront was one in which a static/statistical approach was applied to the development of classical models and general/average theory. This book presents a stochastic management approach to the manufacturing and service enterprise with risks by a game/strategic view, and is based on many papers in production/queueing studies that have appeared in famous journals. The book’s objective is to discuss and show the goals and constraints on manufacturing and service enterprises, and to provide a strategic/collaborative solution for management with risks in heterogeneity. This book mainly focuses on the three manufacturing classes: continuous, poi- wise, and exible stream types under risks. These manufacturing streams are rst studied using the respective stochastic processes, and are characterized and dev- oped as a queueing/strategic control problem of look-ahead/buffer, selection/swit- over, and arrangement/routings. Moreover, the behaviors of some design/control variables are shown and useful theories for design are established.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387848045
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
The subject for this book is my life work on the enterprise modeling and integration by a stochastic/queuing form, and the book plan was conceived before my stay in the USA in 1996–97 as a visiting scholar. The rst title was “Stochastic Management and Design of Manufacturing Systems.” The rst version was attempted in 2001; however, this version was inappropriate and was not revised till now. It is 40 years since I attempted a stochastic approach to manufacturing and management due to the limitations of statistical approaches. The century in which industrial engineering and management rose to the forefront was one in which a static/statistical approach was applied to the development of classical models and general/average theory. This book presents a stochastic management approach to the manufacturing and service enterprise with risks by a game/strategic view, and is based on many papers in production/queueing studies that have appeared in famous journals. The book’s objective is to discuss and show the goals and constraints on manufacturing and service enterprises, and to provide a strategic/collaborative solution for management with risks in heterogeneity. This book mainly focuses on the three manufacturing classes: continuous, poi- wise, and exible stream types under risks. These manufacturing streams are rst studied using the respective stochastic processes, and are characterized and dev- oped as a queueing/strategic control problem of look-ahead/buffer, selection/swit- over, and arrangement/routings. Moreover, the behaviors of some design/control variables are shown and useful theories for design are established.
Forest Management and Planning
Author: Pete Bettinger
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 012809706X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
Forest Management and Planning, Second Edition, addresses contemporary forest management planning issues, providing a concise, focused resource for those in forest management. The book is intermixed with chapters that concentrate on quantitative subjects, such as economics and linear programming, and qualitative chapters that provide discussions of important aspects of natural resource management, such as sustainability. Expanded coverage includes a case study of a closed canopy, uneven-aged forest, new forest plans from South America and Oceania, and a new chapter on scenario planning and climate change adaptation. - Helps students and early career forest managers understand the problems facing professionals in the field today - Designed to support land managers as they make complex decisions on the ecological, economic, and social impacts of forest and natural resources - Presents updated, real-life examples that are illustrated both mathematically and graphically - Includes a new chapter on scenario planning and climate change adaptation - Incorporates the newest research and forest certification standards - Offers access to a companion website with updated solutions, geographic databases, and illustrations
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 012809706X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
Forest Management and Planning, Second Edition, addresses contemporary forest management planning issues, providing a concise, focused resource for those in forest management. The book is intermixed with chapters that concentrate on quantitative subjects, such as economics and linear programming, and qualitative chapters that provide discussions of important aspects of natural resource management, such as sustainability. Expanded coverage includes a case study of a closed canopy, uneven-aged forest, new forest plans from South America and Oceania, and a new chapter on scenario planning and climate change adaptation. - Helps students and early career forest managers understand the problems facing professionals in the field today - Designed to support land managers as they make complex decisions on the ecological, economic, and social impacts of forest and natural resources - Presents updated, real-life examples that are illustrated both mathematically and graphically - Includes a new chapter on scenario planning and climate change adaptation - Incorporates the newest research and forest certification standards - Offers access to a companion website with updated solutions, geographic databases, and illustrations
Practical Handbook of Curve Fitting
Author: Sandra Arlinghaus
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000943283
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 261
Book Description
Practical Handbook of Curve Fitting is a reference work assembled by Arlinghaus and a set of editors with well over a century of combined experience in various disciplines and activities related to curve fitting. The book demonstrates how to analyze World data bases and graph and map the results. Default settings in software packages can produce attractive graphs of data imported into the software. Often, however, the default graph has no equation associated with it and cannot therefore be used as a tool for further analysis or projection of the data. The same software can often be used to generate curves from equations. The reader is shown directly, and in a series of steps, how to fit curves to data using Lotus 1-2-3. There are traditional unbounded curve fitting techniques-lines of least squares, exponentials, logistic curves, and Gompertz curves. There is the bounded curve fitting technique of cubic spline interpolation. Beyond these, there is a detailed application of Feigenbaum's graphical analysis from chaos theory, and there is a hint as to how fractal geometry might come into play. Curve fitting algorithms take on new life when they are actually used on real-world data. They are used in numerous worked examples drawn from electronic data bases of public domain information from the Stars data base of The World Bank and from the WRD data base of the World Resources Institute. The applications are current and reflect a state-of-the-art interest in the human dimensions of global change.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000943283
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 261
Book Description
Practical Handbook of Curve Fitting is a reference work assembled by Arlinghaus and a set of editors with well over a century of combined experience in various disciplines and activities related to curve fitting. The book demonstrates how to analyze World data bases and graph and map the results. Default settings in software packages can produce attractive graphs of data imported into the software. Often, however, the default graph has no equation associated with it and cannot therefore be used as a tool for further analysis or projection of the data. The same software can often be used to generate curves from equations. The reader is shown directly, and in a series of steps, how to fit curves to data using Lotus 1-2-3. There are traditional unbounded curve fitting techniques-lines of least squares, exponentials, logistic curves, and Gompertz curves. There is the bounded curve fitting technique of cubic spline interpolation. Beyond these, there is a detailed application of Feigenbaum's graphical analysis from chaos theory, and there is a hint as to how fractal geometry might come into play. Curve fitting algorithms take on new life when they are actually used on real-world data. They are used in numerous worked examples drawn from electronic data bases of public domain information from the Stars data base of The World Bank and from the WRD data base of the World Resources Institute. The applications are current and reflect a state-of-the-art interest in the human dimensions of global change.