Olukoye, Godfrey Alati2015-05-072015-05-0720069966-776-02-8http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/12586Book chapterEcosystems are dynamic entities made up of several interactive biotic and abiotic factors that determine their production and productivity levels. Equally complex are the ecological processes that govern ecosystem structure and function, the inherent variability in biophysical processes and the interactions between ecological, economic and social processes. Models that seek to guide policy decisions need to capture this complexity. Equally important, managers should give due consideration to the prevailing economic, socio-cultural, legal and political factors that may be relevant when making appropriate management decisions. Although the management of ecosystems is difficult, various models have been developed that aid in decision making for sustainable ecosystem management. For example, conceptual models that incorporate the interactions of climate, plants and herbivory are important in understanding land use dynamics. Further, establishing a balance in ecological and economic functioning of resources such as vegetation in an ecosystem is difficult but ecosystem models have the capability to simulate such complex scenarios to arrive at appropriate resource management. Simulations help in the diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses of an ecosystem and compare it with other alternatives so that improvements may be prescribed (Upton, 1989). Despite this advantage, simulations and their use in resource management especially in developing countries is rareenBook chapter