Degree of Master of

Environmental modeling

To find the answer to the research question, which is built on the identification of the most possible water management scenario for the future development of the AALS, the environmental modeling was conducted by the STELLA Software. The purpose of environmental modeling was to develop a conceptual model of the AALS and then, to assess elaborated AALS water management scenarios using this model.

1. Stella Software

CEU eTD Collection
STELLA software was chosen because it is a powerful tool for constructing mathematical models of physical, chemical, ecological, and other systems. Furthermore, in comparison with the majority of computer languages, STELLA enables the majority of time and effort to be spent on understanding and investigating the features of a dynamic system, rather than writing a program that must follow some complex syntax. STELLA has a friendly graphical interface that aids in laying out, constructing, and utilizing a model. Models can be configured to run independently with set inputs (either numerically or graphically specified) or in an interactive "flight simulator" mode. Model output can be observed by numerical readouts, tables, and graphs.
In terms of technical implementation, STELLA has three levels covered different aspects of model building. The upper level, mapping, is focused on creating the conceptual model of the system and shows the main blocks of the systems to be modeled and the relationships between them. The second one, modeling, is used for direct model building by basic blocks. The third one represents a full list of equations that connect the model blocks.
In other words, the STELLA software is easy to use for environmental modeling and it does not require deep technical skills for working.
Working in the STELLA software consisted of the following steps:

• 
  Development of the conceptual model of Aydar-Arnasay lakes system (AALS);
  
• 
  Description of the AALS conceptual model and its input and output parameters and examination of the primary factors which influence the Aydar-Arnasay lakes’ volume fluctuations;
  
• 
  The model simulation based on the elaborated water management scenarios;
  
• 
  Interpretation of the results obtained.
  

3.