German Bight -image: data from ESA, processed by Hereon

Applied Modelling and Quantitative Methods

Marine and climate research without models would be inconceivable today. Models simulate the behavior of entire ecosystems, provide predictions for global climate, serve to manage risks and help us in developing new theories. Nevertheless, almost every model is a simplified representation of reality and is often insufficiently verified due to a lack of measurement data. In the “Applied Modeling and Quantitative Methods” department, we therefore deal with numerical and statistical modeling of observation data, particularly in the context of biogeochemical and physical transport, exchange and conversion processes. Furthermore, we quantify model uncertainties and develop what are known as “expert systems”. Our work helps to improve model results and to strengthen confidence in modeling. Despite their uncertainties, models are the best instrument we have to mediate between theory and reality.

The department "Biogeochemical Modeling / Applied Modeling and Quantitative Methods" is in founding.