Computer Modelling in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

This textbook is about quasi-realistic models in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Understanding the basis and limitations of these models is important since far reaching decisions about the environment are based upon them. This book goes beyond a technical discussion of these quasi-realistic models and emphasizes their role and utility in generating new useful knowledge about the system under study.

Introduction: Models; Environmental systems; Tides and climate; Quasi-realistic computer models; Application; Issues.- Computer Models: Dynamics; Numerics; Computers; Models as dynamical systems; Models as stochastic systems; Predictability.- Models and Data: Validation; Data assimilation; Calibration.- Tides and Climate: Tidal system; The climate system.- Modelling in Applied Environmental Sciences - Forecasting, Analysis and Scenarios: Introduction; Predictions and forecasts; Data analysis; Scenarios; Secondary applications.- Application in Fundamental Science - Simulation and Hypothesis Testing: Introduction; Hypothesis testing; Specification of reduced models; Simulating the unobservable.- Conclusions: Issue: Trustworthiness; Issue: Reduction of information; Issue: Social and psychological conditioning; New and old models; Further issues; Final conclusions.