Project: Development of selected model components of an Across-Trophic Level Systems Simulation (ATLSS) for the wetland ecosystems of South Florida

Web Sites: ATLSS.ORG

Location: The total system

Principal Investigator: Louis J. Gross, The Institute for Environmental Modeling (TIEM), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-1610, Phone: 865-974-4295, e-mail: gross@tiem.utk.edu

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

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

Associated Projects: Part of ATLSS Program

Overview & Status: The general ATLSS goals ongoing in this portion of the project are: 1) Combine biological and physical models using multiple approaches, including trophic system components at differing spatial and temporal scales, to estimate landscape-level responses of biotic systems to environmental changes; 2) Produce models capable of using detailed behavioral and physiological data and dynamically linking these with spatially-explicit abiotic information; and, 3) Produce models capable of generating testable hypotheses about trophic component responses to alternative possible anthropogenic influences. ATLSS provides a mechanism to evaluate the relative impacts of alternative hydrologic scenarios on various trophic components. The methodology to integrate components involves: 1) a landscape structure for dynamic communication between models; 2) a high resolution topography to estimate high resolution water depth across the landscape; and, 3) a variety of visualization tools to aid model development, validation, and comparison to field data.

Needs & Products: Further products and needs include: Development of a general modeling protocol to link dynamic ecological models to spatial information, including that available through a geographic information system; High resolution topography and water depths for interpretation of alternative hydrologic plans at appropriate scales, applied throughout the Restudy and Mod Water design processes; Spatially-explicit, size-structured fish functional group model applied throughout the Restudy design process, providing a relative assessment of alternative plans effects on availability of prey for wading birds; Spatially-explicit species index models for short- and long-legged wading birds, Snail Kite,and alligator applied throughout the Restudy and Mod Water design processes, providing a relative assessment of alternative planss; Models for conducting population viability analyses of various endangered species (Cape Sable Sparrow, Florida Panther, Snail Kite) under alternative hydrologic management; Tracking tool developed for telemetry data on Florida panther providing spatially-explicit analysis of panther movements and behavior related to demographic and habitat information; and, Development and maintenance of http://atlss.org as a data repository for model results and analyses related to ATLSS. ATLSS demonstrates that it is possible to develop spatially-explicit ecological models coupled to detailed abiotic models, carry out detailed spatial comparisons of alternative management plans, and produce results sufficiently rapidly to allow for detailed, scientifically-based inputs to the planning process.

Application to Everglades Restoration: ATLSS is a primary tool for evaluating landscape-scale Everglades restoration alternatives. The ATLSS project has produced over thirty detailed biotic assessments of alternative hydrologic plans provided throughout the Restudy and Mod Water design process). Assessments provided by the ATLSS project were used extensively in the Restudy and Mod Water design processes (October 1997 - July 1998). ATLSS assessments were considered so critical to the Central and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study that ATLSS results make up the majority of one of the two CDROM's which comprise the Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (July 1999). ATLSS modeling protocols and codes are being utilized by several collaborators to extend the models included within ATLSS to other species (2000).