ABSTRACT
Ecological modeling has the potential to become a standard tool in higher-tier risk assessments of pesticides. However, most stakeholders involved are not familiar with the rationale and methods of ecological modeling, and as a consequence, they do not know how to assess models and when models are to be trusted. Therefore, I here give a short introduction to ecological modeling. After presenting the 3 main types of population models relevant for pesticide risk assessment, I explain why choice of model type and structure should not be ad hoc, but instead be determined by a detailed specication of the model’s purpose. Finally, I recommend that modelers offer short courses where nonmodelers from industry and regulatory authorities are introduced to ecological modeling in more detail, and where modelers can learn more about the specic requirements of the regulatory process.
