Marine systems analysis and modeling |
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Authors: | K Fedra |
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Institution: | (1) Advanced Computer Applications (ACA), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria |
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Abstract: | Oceanography and marine ecology have a considerable history in the use of computers for modeling both physical and ecological
processes. With increasing stress on the marine environment due to human activities such as fisheries and numerous forms of
pollution, the analysis of marine problems must increasingly and jointly consider physical, ecological and socio-economic
aspects in a broader systems framework that transcends more traditional disciplinary boundaries. This often introduces difficult-to-quantify,
“soft” elements, such as values and perceptions, into formal analysis. Thus, the problem domain combines a solid foundation
in the physical sciences, with strong elements of ecological, socio-economic and political considerations. At the same time,
the domain is also characterized by both a very large volume of some data, and an extremely datapoor situation for other variables,
as well as a very high degree of uncertainty, partly due to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of the marine environment.
Consequently, marine systems analysis and management require tools that can integrate these diverse aspects into efficient
information systems that can support research as well as planning and also policy- and decisionmaking processes. Supporting
scientific research, as well as decision-making processes and the diverse groups and actors involved, requires better access
and direct understanding of the information basis as well as easy-to-use, but powerful tools for analysis. Advanced information
technology provides the tools to design and implement smart software where, in a broad sense, the emphasis is on the man-machine
interface. Symbolic and analogous, graphical interaction, visual representation of problems, integrated data sources, and
built-in domain knowledge can effectively support users of complex and complicated software systems. Integration, interaction,
visualization and intelligence are key concepts that are discussed in detail, using an operational software example of a coastal
water quality model. The model comprises components of a geographical information and mapping system, data bases, dynamic
simulation models, and an integrated expert system. An interactive graphical user interface, dynamic visualization of model
results, and a hyper-text-based help-and-explain system illustrate some of the features of new and powerful software tools
for marine systems analysis and modeling. |
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