Multimodeling Basis for Across-Trophic-Level Ecosystem Modeling: the Florida Everglades Example

Abstract

We present a new modeling method for use in large-scale physical systems, such as the Everglades ecosystem. The current work that has been done in the ATLSS (Across-Trophic-Level System Simulation) project-which focuses on simulating key Everglades system components-relies on code integration. While this represents a necessary first step in analyzing the dynamics of species within the Everglades, it falls short of true model integration. We have constructed a methodology called object-oriented physical modeling (OOPM), which allows a comprehensive knowledge representation to be constructedfor large-scale systems. OOPM enforces the idea that an implementation ofcomputer code can be accomplished in an incremental fashion by starting with a conceptual model and progressing to more detailed models. During this evolutionary procedure, a minimal amount of code is written, since the emphasis is on developing the conceptual model so that it not only represents the intuitive aspects ofthe model, but is also executable. OOPM provides a kind of "blueprint" for ecologists, biologists and hydrologists to communicate and integrate models effectively. (14 page document)