That, in turn, helps researchers to understand the underlying processes that determine the behavior of complex agricultural systems.
Mathematical models are caricatures of systems made from mathematical equations.
Integrating and solving the equations enables a numerical description of the system to be produced. During the first phase of a modeling exercise, the modeler seeks to give names, magnitudes and units to the component parts of the problem. In the second phase of modeling a problem, the processes are described as mathematical functions. In the final phase, 'what if' questions can be asked about the functioning of a system and numerical answers provided. Mathematical models that contain no clear logical link with the basic processes governing the relationship between the system inputs and outputs are unlikely to contribute much of significance to any debate concerning strategic decisions in relation to research management.