Explicit process required

Option	Description
Yes	Must encode system processes (e.g., differential equations).
Optional	The method can incorporate mechanisms but not required.
Agnostic	No process modeling needed.

Definition

Whether the method mandates building an explicit mechanistic or process‐based model of the underlying system.

Explanation

Process‐explicit methods (e.g., dynamic vegetation models) leverage domain knowledge to simulate system behavior. Agnostic methods rely on observed statistical patterns and assumptions.

Tools/rationale for helping assessment

1. Review whether you want to enforce mechanistic equations in your system modeling.
2. If your expertise or data do not support that, select an Agnostic approach.

Example

I lack detailed dispersal/mortality rates for my species, so I opt for an Agnostic statistical model rather than an explicit process‐based simulator.