Computing parameter identifiability and other structural properties for natural resource models

For dynamic natural resource models a few fundamental questions are often omitted in practice such as (i) “Is it possible to calibrate the model?” and (ii) “Can we reconstruct all unknown dynamic state variables given a certain data record?” Other related questions are (iii) “Does the system allow the state variables to be controlled (or managed) to desired optimal values (e.g., in case of maximum sustainable yield)?” In this paper we highlight and discuss a software tool (the StrucID App) that allows a rapid evaluation of these fundamental and structural model properties that are important to study before a calibration and subsequent simulation of the model.