Article Review Sample
Introduction
Forests determine the quality of the natural evolution on the earth. With forests being the critical elements of nature’s and human survival, they require the development and implementation of sound techniques that would restore natural forest habitats and will promote a balanced approach toward forestry and hunting. In its article, Science Daily (2007) provides a general review of the way computer technologies can be integrated into the frameworks for resolving various types of real-life problems. The new Vorest program has combined the benefits of computational geometry and computer science to resolve the major issues in the area of natural forestry.
Summary
In its recent article, Science Daily (2007) writes that “the Algorithm Engineering Group at the UPM’s School of Computing has developed, in conjunction with a forestry engineer from the University of Cordoba, a simulator modeling the evolution of a forest”. In other words, the new computer program was designed to model the process of trees and plants growth on the chosen territory. The article suggests that the newly designed program was excellent example of the way computational geometry could resolve numerous real-life issues.
Forests determine the quality of the natural evolution on the earth. With forests being the critical elements of nature’s and human survival, they require the development and implementation of sound techniques that would restore natural forest habitats and will promote a balanced approach toward forestry and hunting. In its article, Science Daily (2007) provides a general review of the way computer technologies can be integrated into the frameworks for resolving various types of real-life problems. The new Vorest program has combined the benefits of computational geometry and computer science to resolve the major issues in the area of natural forestry.
Summary
In its recent article, Science Daily (2007) writes that “the Algorithm Engineering Group at the UPM’s School of Computing has developed, in conjunction with a forestry engineer from the University of Cordoba, a simulator modeling the evolution of a forest”. In other words, the new computer program was designed to model the process of trees and plants growth on the chosen territory. The article suggests that the newly designed program was excellent example of the way computational geometry could resolve numerous real-life issues.
The development and implementation of the new software was justified by the need to model tree development in specific environmental conditions; later the analysis and the results of modeling could be used to restore the most problematic biological systems. The fact is that “tree development within a forest largely depends on how much space they have both on the ground and in the air, around the treetops. Trees compete to dominate the space they need to develop, and this related these biological systems directly to Voronoi diagrams” (Science Daily, 2007). As with any other real-life model, mathematics and geometry have become the two relevant mechanisms for explaining, and finally, modeling tree growth in numerous types of natural environments.
Science Daily (2007) suggests that Vorest modeling framework links various elements of forestry management into one single ecosystem; furthermore, the model helps define the impact which space may cause on tree development. “This includes the space transfer dynamics between neighboring trees dictated by their life strategies, and the outcome in terms of tree growth and mortality” (Science Daily, 2007). The simulation process is based on the assumption that any tree usually grows within a limited space; this limited space is usually referred to as “influence region”. The size of the influence region varies, determining the quality and the pace of the specific tree growth. Although Vorest automatically calculates these influence regions, it also provides its users with an opportunity to model the region and the way tree growth should be simulated to achieve the anticipated growth results. As a result of complex information processing, Vorest produces the two distinct classes of visual information, with one appearing in the form of the Voronoi diagram, and the other “generating more or less detailed representation of what the trees could really be expected to look like in their natural environment” (Science Daily, 2007). Ultimately, users are free to modify soil appearance. With simple interface, users are not required any specific skills to use the new program.
Science Daily (2007) writes that programs similar to Vorest can be extremely useful for forestry engineers. Such programs help trace tree development through the prism of its separate elements (i.e., incorporation, growth, and death). Vorest is the only software currently available for modeling growth of individual trees. Vorest can be successfully used in timber production and forestry management. The program may help predict and evaluate the quality and the consequences of various types of human interventions within forests. Ultimately, the model can be used as the instrument of researching forest dynamics (Science Daily, 2007): “a forest growth model like Vorest describes the dynamics of the forest closely and precisely enough to meet the needs of forestry managers or forestry researchers” (Science Daily, 2007).
Critique
To the large extent, the development and implementation of such modeling software may substantially facilitate the quality of forestry managers’ interactions and help them achieve their basic objectives. Moreover, modeling helps makes appropriate choice and predict the patterns and outcomes of trees growth in specific environmental conditions and soils. The problem is that the article does not provide clear explanation as for the way this software should be used in practice. Researchers assert that the new modeling program is easy in use and does not require sophisticated IT skills. Simultaneously, we read that 3D digital mechanisms are the integral components of Vorest. What seems to be true is that the majority of forestry managers will have to learn additional computer skills to integrate the new software into their daily performance. Moreover, as Vorest intends to produce the two different visual models of data analysis, it is not really clear, whether these visual models will be convenient for use and will be understandable to forestry professionals. The article is not supported by any images and visual forms; as a result, we are unable to fully evaluate the quality, the benefits, and the possible drawbacks of the new software. Taking into account the complexity of forestry as such, and the need for restoring the larger portion of modern forest populations, it is very probable that the new modeling framework will need further improvements. If that is the case, these improvements will need to be closely monitored by forestry professionals.
Despite these visible inconsistencies, the article provides valuable information about the benefits of software, when used in forestry and related decision-making and management frameworks. Generally, any new modeling software is just another attempt to replace human decision-making approaches with those produced by a machine. In other terms, we strive for automatization of the critical decision-making processes, and anticipate that this automatization will release significant amount of time, which we will free to use for other professional purposes. In reality, decision-making software will never provide us with full freedom; moreover, such modeling software may facilitate our interactions with nature, but may also tie us to computers. We become more dependent on what we expect to see on the computer screen. Undoubtedly, the new modeling software will move forestry management to a new level of quality performance. Moreover, Vorest is expected to bring a new analytical vision into the most problematic forestry areas. With Vorest, managers are offered a new type of visual relationships with computers, where computers work to produce relevant analytical procedures, save time, and connect objects, factors, and environmental conditions in the way that benefits both the future forest and the forestry manager.
Unfortunately, the article lacks essential information, and to become more aware of the benefits of the new program, forestry managers will need to purchase a sample or order its demo version; the article is not very detailed regarding the mechanisms and principles that make Vorest work. Simultaneously, such detailed review would be more appropriate for any other kind of an IT journal; and in this context, Science Daily (2007) has completed its task perfectly well: to deliver critical scientific information that relates to an important management framework and does not overload its readers with professional details that may only be understandable to IT managers and IT specialists.
Conclusion
In its article, Science Daily (2007) provides a general observation of the way computers and computational geometry can be used in forestry management. The new Vorest software is just another example of the way software can be successfully integrated with different types of decision-making frameworks. What seems important is that the new modeling software will help forestry managers achieve their environmental and decision-making objectives, and will ultimately facilitate the process of uniting numerous environmental factors into one single ecological system.
Science Daily (2007) suggests that Vorest modeling framework links various elements of forestry management into one single ecosystem; furthermore, the model helps define the impact which space may cause on tree development. “This includes the space transfer dynamics between neighboring trees dictated by their life strategies, and the outcome in terms of tree growth and mortality” (Science Daily, 2007). The simulation process is based on the assumption that any tree usually grows within a limited space; this limited space is usually referred to as “influence region”. The size of the influence region varies, determining the quality and the pace of the specific tree growth. Although Vorest automatically calculates these influence regions, it also provides its users with an opportunity to model the region and the way tree growth should be simulated to achieve the anticipated growth results. As a result of complex information processing, Vorest produces the two distinct classes of visual information, with one appearing in the form of the Voronoi diagram, and the other “generating more or less detailed representation of what the trees could really be expected to look like in their natural environment” (Science Daily, 2007). Ultimately, users are free to modify soil appearance. With simple interface, users are not required any specific skills to use the new program.
Science Daily (2007) writes that programs similar to Vorest can be extremely useful for forestry engineers. Such programs help trace tree development through the prism of its separate elements (i.e., incorporation, growth, and death). Vorest is the only software currently available for modeling growth of individual trees. Vorest can be successfully used in timber production and forestry management. The program may help predict and evaluate the quality and the consequences of various types of human interventions within forests. Ultimately, the model can be used as the instrument of researching forest dynamics (Science Daily, 2007): “a forest growth model like Vorest describes the dynamics of the forest closely and precisely enough to meet the needs of forestry managers or forestry researchers” (Science Daily, 2007).
Critique
To the large extent, the development and implementation of such modeling software may substantially facilitate the quality of forestry managers’ interactions and help them achieve their basic objectives. Moreover, modeling helps makes appropriate choice and predict the patterns and outcomes of trees growth in specific environmental conditions and soils. The problem is that the article does not provide clear explanation as for the way this software should be used in practice. Researchers assert that the new modeling program is easy in use and does not require sophisticated IT skills. Simultaneously, we read that 3D digital mechanisms are the integral components of Vorest. What seems to be true is that the majority of forestry managers will have to learn additional computer skills to integrate the new software into their daily performance. Moreover, as Vorest intends to produce the two different visual models of data analysis, it is not really clear, whether these visual models will be convenient for use and will be understandable to forestry professionals. The article is not supported by any images and visual forms; as a result, we are unable to fully evaluate the quality, the benefits, and the possible drawbacks of the new software. Taking into account the complexity of forestry as such, and the need for restoring the larger portion of modern forest populations, it is very probable that the new modeling framework will need further improvements. If that is the case, these improvements will need to be closely monitored by forestry professionals.
Despite these visible inconsistencies, the article provides valuable information about the benefits of software, when used in forestry and related decision-making and management frameworks. Generally, any new modeling software is just another attempt to replace human decision-making approaches with those produced by a machine. In other terms, we strive for automatization of the critical decision-making processes, and anticipate that this automatization will release significant amount of time, which we will free to use for other professional purposes. In reality, decision-making software will never provide us with full freedom; moreover, such modeling software may facilitate our interactions with nature, but may also tie us to computers. We become more dependent on what we expect to see on the computer screen. Undoubtedly, the new modeling software will move forestry management to a new level of quality performance. Moreover, Vorest is expected to bring a new analytical vision into the most problematic forestry areas. With Vorest, managers are offered a new type of visual relationships with computers, where computers work to produce relevant analytical procedures, save time, and connect objects, factors, and environmental conditions in the way that benefits both the future forest and the forestry manager.
Unfortunately, the article lacks essential information, and to become more aware of the benefits of the new program, forestry managers will need to purchase a sample or order its demo version; the article is not very detailed regarding the mechanisms and principles that make Vorest work. Simultaneously, such detailed review would be more appropriate for any other kind of an IT journal; and in this context, Science Daily (2007) has completed its task perfectly well: to deliver critical scientific information that relates to an important management framework and does not overload its readers with professional details that may only be understandable to IT managers and IT specialists.
Conclusion
In its article, Science Daily (2007) provides a general observation of the way computers and computational geometry can be used in forestry management. The new Vorest software is just another example of the way software can be successfully integrated with different types of decision-making frameworks. What seems important is that the new modeling software will help forestry managers achieve their environmental and decision-making objectives, and will ultimately facilitate the process of uniting numerous environmental factors into one single ecological system.
 |
