Ecosystem Modeling and University Study

[Supaiku]

Can anyone give me any information about the basic tools used in ecosystem modeling and Universities that have programs specifically for computer modeling of land based forest ecosystems.

 

I'm specifically interested in nutrient, water, and energy interactions between plants and animals on a small scale, local ecosystem.

 

I'm curiuos about questions like:

Do modeling techniques invoulve Databases? What databases are used? etc.

 

Actually... I say etc. but that's about the only question I have since I know so little...