Project: A Multimodeling implementation supporting ATLSS: Across-Trophic Level System Simulation

Web Sites: ATLSS.ORG

Location: Central Everglades; Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade County

Principal Investigator: Donald L. DeAngelis, Phone: 305-284-1690, e-mail: ddeangelis@umiami.ir.miami.edu

Project Personnel: Paul A. Fishwick, Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Bldg. CSE, Room 301, University of Florida, PO Box 116120, Gainesville, FL 32611-6120; Phone: 352-392-1414; E-mail: fishwick@cise.ufl.edu

Other Supporting Organizations: USGS/BRD, NPS, USACE, EPA

Associated Projects: Component of ATLSS Program

Overview & Status: This project is building interfaces and integration mechanisms for certain of the targeted computer codes that are part of ATLSS. For example, the spatially-explicit hydrology, fish, and wading bird distributed simulation has been constructed. Other codes are being analyzed, such as the apple snail code, which will be integrated (along with the snail kite code) into ATLSS. The objectives are to build interface mechanisms, visualization systems, and to continue modeling research. Achievement of the objectives should result in the ability of ecologists to more easily model Everglades species populations and ecology. The tasks described in this project can be considered as "metatasks." That is, rather than supporting specific ecological goals and information needs, the tasks described here provide support for the integration and easy use of a simulation system composed of heterogeneous components. These components, in turn, focus on specific ecological goals and needs. Based on current progress, it can be assumed that this essential work can be completed successfully.

Needs & Products: Models must be integrated in a manner that minimizes the effort required for application and interpretation. This integration requires development and coupling of interfaces, including those listed below:

• Model-user interface is the actual environment through which the user accesses various programs, selects program attributes, inputs data, simulates various conditions, and evaluates model output.
• Model-model interface, which is transparent to the user, includes the essential linkages between various models and their outputs.
• Output data-graphical/visualization interface is critical to presentation of voluminous simulation results in a form interpretable by decision makers, as well as scientists and engineers.

Interfaces between different model types have been created (December 1998). The landscape fish model and the wading bird model have been integrated, so that the interactions of these biotic components can be simulated on a spatial landscape in response to changing water levels (January 2000).

Application to Everglades Restoration: The ATLSS integrated suite of models has been used extensively in Everglades restoration planning. Results from this program have been used in the evaluation of the effects of the C&SF Restudy, Modified Water Deliveries (ModWaters) plan, and C-111 hydrology scenarios on key biota. The suite of ATLSS models can be used in parallel with monitoring and adaptive management during and after implementation of a restoration plan.