MODAM is dealing with the complex interactions between man and biosphere in agricultural landscapes.

MODAM on the one hand is a modelling system to integrate these interactions. On the other hand MODAM is also and not the least a research philosophy or research approach to organise the complex scientific issues of landscape management.

To transfer our research philosophy into a functional model we rely on certain prerequisites:

Preliminary note 1
In our appreciation, modelling is not synonym with the formulation of a software solution! The modelling process starts but much earlier and comprehends a complex process of preceding research coordination. In other words: Modelling starts, when you start thinking about the model.
Developing a software solution is only the end of a long modelling process. The formulation of the theoretical model is one of the most important parts of the modelling process and starts long before the first code is written. 

Preliminary note 2
Landscape research is an interdisciplinary task. As our topic is so complex, we depend on support from a lot of disciplines.
From a scientific point of view, our challenge is to link natural as well as social sciences and economics.

Preliminary note 3
Complex landscape models are not transferable 1:1 from one landscape to another.
This is especially so because agricultural management systems are dependent on:

1. natural conditions
2. infrastructure
3. economic and cultural conditions

These conditions vary considerably from region to region. The model thus has to be adapted to meet the requirements that are needed and to resemble regional distinctions.