Development of User-friendly Graphical Interfaces for Ecological Simulation Models and Spatial Databases

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Regional to global-scale analyses of ecological dynamics is a crucial research activity for assessing large-scale phenomena that are relevant to global change. Large-scale modeling analyses require complex computational technology and efforts. Both spatial databases and simulation models are critical components of these analyses. Unfortunately, most simulation models as well as links with spatial databases are complicated and used primarily by the ecologists who developed them. We have identified three needs that must be met before this technology is readily accessible to ecologists: (1) user-friendly, portable, and easily accessible simulation models are needed that can represent numerous interacting components of ecosystems; (2) user-friendly models are needed that can represent spatial processes across spatial scales; and (3) user-friendly simulation models linked with GIS software are needed. The overall objective of our proposed work is to address these needs of the ecological community by developing a modular, windows-based graphical user-interface (GUI) for four different kinds of ecological simulation models and the GIS software, Arc/Info. We propose to build upon and expand a prototype GUI called EcoVision that we developed under prior NSF funding. We will expand EcoVision to be user-friendly, portable, and easily accessible with three functionalities with different software and hardware requirements: (1) runs of the 4 models either alone or in linked combination on a PC; (2) simulation of grids of interacting plots using one or more models to represent spatial processes on a UNIX workstation; and (3) simulations for regional analyses on a UNIX workstation using Arc/Info. Our product will be a menu- driven, user-friendly GUI that will allow input files and parameters to be easily selected and changed, and visual display of input parameters and output variables through time and space. Multiple graphs will be viewed simultaneously using input and/or out put from one or more models. Statistical analyses and on-line user documentation will also be included within the interface. We will develop EcoVision for four specific models that can represent vegetation dynamics of grasslands and shrublands (STEPPE), nutrient cycling (CENTURY), soil water dynamics (SOILWAT), and trace gas exchange (NGAS). The models can either be run alone or linked to allow for interactions and feedbacks among various components of ecosystems. Spatial processes are simulated using interacting plots. Using these four models, we can represent a large portion of the earth's land resources as well as make important links with Global Climate Models (GCMs) for global scale predictions of effects of climate and landuse changes. In addition, our focus in developing EcoVision will be on generality and flexibility to allow for additional or different models to be used. We foresee a large national and international demand for user-friendly versions of these models and links with Arc/Info. since a similar product is currently unavailable. We will work in close collaboration with other ecologists to ensure that our product will meet the current and future needs of the ecological community. The software will be distributed at-cost, and user support will be provided with a WWW home page.