We all use our own mental models of the way the world works, such as the process of crossing a busy street or ducking a flying rock. Components of a mental model may include time delays before the appearance of any effect from our action, the effects of random events, positive and negative feedback from our action or the environment. Crossing the street is a relatively simple system for us to use. When we deal with complex systems such as an entire ecosystem, community and changes through time, our mental models need help. The process of dynamic computer modeling is an aid to the mind that increases our ability to understand the relationships between specific components of the system we are looking at. Linking dynamic model components in a spatial referenced environment (a GIS layer or map) is a valuable tool for understanding possible impacts of land-use decision through visualization of what things might look like under various scenarios and policies.

Modeling is a creative endeavor. New solutions to problems can be investigated to understand their relative impact on a system, and new questions become apparent through as the process evolves.