Abstract
An example of ecosystem modelization is presented and used to underline the problems in this area of system analysis. The model construction is analyzed. The parameters identification requires the test of a priori identifiability of a complex non-linear model (structural identifiability); it then calls for the choice of a good identification method as the input signals of an ecosystem cannot be manipulated to guarantee a posteriori identifiability. This method is applied to data collected on an alpine lake.