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

区域到全球尺度的生态动力学分析是评估与全球变化有关的大尺度现象的重要研究活动。大规模建模分析需要复杂的计算技术和努力。空间数据库和模拟模型都是这些分析的关键组成部分。不幸的是，大多数模拟模型以及与空间数据库的链接都很复杂，主要由开发它们的生态学家使用。我们已经确定了在这项技术容易被生态学家使用之前必须满足的三个需求：(1)需要用户友好，便携式和易于访问的模拟模型，可以代表生态系统的许多相互作用的组件；(2)需要能够跨空间尺度表示空间过程的用户友好模型；(3)需要与GIS软件链接的用户友好型仿真模型。我们提出的工作的总体目标是通过为四种不同的生态模拟模型和GIS软件Arc/Info开发一个模块化的、基于窗口的图形用户界面（GUI）来满足生态社区的这些需求。我们建议建立和扩展一个名为EcoVision的GUI原型，该原型是我们在先前的NSF资助下开发的。我们将扩展EcoVision，使其具有用户友好，便携和易于访问的三种功能，具有不同的软件和硬件要求：(1)在PC上单独或链接组合运行4种型号；(2)在UNIX工作站上使用一个或多个模型来表示空间过程，模拟相互作用的地块网格；(3)利用Arc/Info在UNIX工作站上进行区域分析仿真。我们的产品将是一个菜单驱动，用户友好的GUI，将允许输入文件和参数可以很容易地选择和更改，并通过时间和空间的输入参数和输出变量的可视化显示。使用一个或多个模型的输入和/或输出将同时查看多个图形。统计分析和联机用户文件也将包括在界面内。我们将为四个特定的模型开发EcoVision，这些模型可以表示草地和灌木地的植被动态（STEPPE）、养分循环（CENTURY）、土壤水分动态（SOILWAT）和微量气体交换（NGAS）。这些模型既可以单独运行，也可以连接起来，以允许生态系统各组成部分之间的相互作用和反馈。空间过程用交互图模拟。利用这四种模式，我们可以代表地球上大部分的土地资源，并与全球气候模式（GCMs）建立重要的联系，在全球尺度上预测气候和土地利用变化的影响。此外，我们开发EcoVision的重点将放在通用性和灵活性上，以允许使用其他或不同的模型。我们预见到对这些模型的用户友好版本和Arc/Info链接的巨大的国内和国际需求。因为目前没有类似的产品。我们将与其他生态学家密切合作，以确保我们的产品能够满足生态社区当前和未来的需求。该软件将按成本价分发，并将向用户提供WWW主页支持。

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.