1. Developing Understanding of Ecological Economic Systems
Thomas Maxwell
Robert Costanza
University of Maryland
Institute for Ecological Economics

2. Institute for Ecological Economics
Motivation
Unbridled expansion of human enterprise.
Depletion of natural life support systems.
Resource depletion -> global tensions.
Interacting complex systems.
Tremendous uncertainty.
Potentially disastrous consequences.
Institute for Ecological Economics

3. Integrated Problem Solving
Vision
State of the world.
Possible future worlds (postitive & negative).
What to tweak?
Expected outcomes of policy adjustments.
Methodology
Hard problem science.
Adaptive management.
Institute for Ecological Economics

4. Science in Service of Society
Comprehensive systems approach
Conceptual pluralism
Problem driver
Multiscale
Integrated modeling
Links with policy
Modeling as consensus building tool
Communicating uncertainty
Institute for Ecological Economics

5. Collaborative (Visible) Modeling
Realistic models require multiple teams
Modelers typically not computer scientists
Stake holders must be included
Communication to a wide audience
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6. Three Stage Modeling Process
Scoping models
Consensus building
Research models
Understanding dynamics
Management models
Exploring scenarios
Institute for Ecological Economics

7. Modeling Collaboratory
Constructivist learning.
Paradigm expansion.
(narrow,linear,static) ->
(broad,nonlinear,dynamic)
Conflict resolution.
Consensus building.
Collective decision making.
Develop management scenarios.
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8. Supporting Collaborative Modeling
Graphical modeling tools
Modular model development
Transparent high performance computing
Integrated data access
Integrated visualization
Variety of formalisms and frames
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9. Institute for Ecological Economics
Graphical Modeling
Model viewed and manipulated graphically.
Opens model development to non-programmers.
Facilitates rapid development of models.
Enforces modeling standards.
Facilitates collaboration in model development.
Graphical representation serves as a blackboard.
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10. Institute for Ecological Economics
STELLA Model
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11. Spatial Modeling Framework
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12. Environmental Modeling Workbench
Spatial Modeling Environment
Inputs to multiple models
Coupled
Bio-Hydro
Simulation
Integrated wireless
Sensor web
CavernSoft
Collaborative
Environment
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Environmental Hydrology Applications Team

13. Institute for Ecological Economics
Two types of modules
Ecological Modules
No general theory.
Primary focus on modeling.
Examples:
Macrophytes, Epiphytes, Consumers, Phytoplankton
Modules developed in Stella/SME.
Physical Modules
Theory well known (e.g. Navier Stokes).
Primary focus on computation.
hydrodynamics, atmospheric dynamics.
Modules developed externally and linked to SME.
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14. Spatial Modeling Environment
Collaborative Spatial Modeling Workbench
Includes integrated support for:
Icon-based unit module development
Module archiving and reuse
Integration of multiple spatial representations
Distributed computing
Web-based modeling & simulation
Configuration, control, and visualization of remote simulations.
Data access and visualization
Real-time links to other apps (e.g. Swarm).
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15. Spatial Modeling Environment
Module
Repository
Module
Builder
Simulation
Driver
Unit model
Graphical
modeling
Spatial model
HPC
STELLA
Code Generator
PowerSim
Module
Constructor
SME Module
Editor
Java
Portal
SMML Module Library
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16. Institute for Ecological Economics
Module Specification Language
Declarative
Modular
Fully visible structure & dynamics
Supports encapsulation and specialization
Separate universal specs / site-specific configs
Platform and operating system independent
Facilitates extensive simulation services
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17. Institute for Ecological Economics
Simulation Module Markup Language
XML-Based Declarative Language
Simulation Module Specification
Major Classes:
Module: Reusable component.
Variable: Simulation atomic object.
Action: Performs computation or data IO.
Event: Orders the execution of Actions.
Frame: Defines a spatial topology.
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18. Institute for Ecological Economics
SMML Example
<atom name="CONS_BIOM" id="CONS_BIOM" status="private" type="state" >
<port type="input" name="CONS_INGEST" />
<port type="input" name="CONS_EGEST" />
<port type="input" name="CONS_MORT_BIOM" />
<port type="input" name="CONS_RESPIRATION" />
<dynamic event="integrate" type="code" >
<code>
( ( ( CONS_INGEST-CONS_EGEST )-CONS_MORT_BIOM ) ) CONS_RESPIRATION )
</code>
</dynamic>
<port type="input" name="P1_CONS_IC" />
<port type="input" name="CELL_SIZE" />
<dynamic event="init" type="code" >
<doc>
CARBON BIOMASS OF AN AGGREGATED CONSUMER. (KGC).
CONSUMERS EXCLUDE THE MICRO ORGANISMS WHICH ARE
ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE RESPIRATION FLUXES
</doc>
( ( P1_CONS_IC*0.001 )*CELL_SIZE )
</atom>
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19. Institute for Ecological Economics
SMML Example
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE compound SYSTEM "
<compound id="PLMD_module" name="PLMD_module" >
<compound id="CONSUMERS_module" name="CONSUMERS_module"
location="CONSUMERS_module.xml" >
<port type="output" name="CONS_EGEST" />
<port type="output" name="CONS_MORT_BIOM" />
<port type="output" name="CI_DETR" />
...
</compound>
<link name="c__0" origin = "GLOBALS_module.CELL_SIZE"
destination = "CONSUMERS_module.CELL_SIZE" />
<link name="c__1" origin = "DETRITUS_module.DET_AVAIL"
destination = "CONSUMERS_module.DET_AVAIL" />
<link name="c__2" origin = "DOM_module.DOM_C_AVAIL"
destination = "CONSUMERS_module.DOM_C_AVAIL" />
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20. Typical State Variables
Examples of some typical state variables:
(Dissolved Inorganic) Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Water (Saturated, Unsaturated, Surface, Snow)
Detritus
Macrophyte (Non)Photosynthetic Biomass
Consumers
Deposited Organic Matter
Phytoplankton
Epiphytes
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21. Agent Based Modeling in SME
Swarm agents can populate SME landscapes.
SME-Swarm integration:
Swarm classes serve as wrappers for:
SME model.
SME grid layers.
SME spatial variables.
Two-way remote data transfer.
Built on SNI simulation server architecture:
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22. Institute for Ecological Economics
Multi-Grid Library
Integrates multiple spatial representations
Implements space in SME
Major Components include:
Cell: Spatially referenced area (or volume) element.
Grid: Distributed set of Cells + links.
Frame: Hierarchy of distributed Grids.
Link: Connection between Cells.
Intra-Grid: spatial contiguity.
Inter-grid: scaling relations or mappings.
Activation Layer: Subset of Cells in a Frame.
Coverage: Mapping:: Activation Layer -> floats.
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23. Distributed Processing
Spatial grid
partitioned over processors
Highly parallel application
Recursive N-section:
excellent load balancing
Fully transparent to user
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24. Model Calibration toolkit
Built on MPE toolkit:
Calculate performance measure (MPE)
Estimate of match between model & system.
Weighted sum of tests (Bounds, Theil, Freq, etc).
Search parameter space to maximize MPE.
Evolutionary and gradient searches.
Params, tests, & searches configured in SME.
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25. Institute for Ecological Economics
SME Java Portal
Desktop access to remote supercomputing resources
Web-enabled ( using java servlets )
Grid enabled ( using globus gram utility )
Java applet <-> Java servlet <-> C++ apps
Portal interfaces include:
Workspace management
Module development
Model configuration
Simulation initialization, control, & visualization
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26. Institute for Ecological Economics
WorkSpace Manager
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27. Configuration Manager
Documentation Panel
Documentation of
selected command
Model Panel
Hierarchical View of model objects
Associated commands as boxes
Command Panel
Structure of selected command
Property Panel
Command Arguments
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28. Institute for Ecological Economics
Parameter Editor
Edit Simulation
Parameters
Spreadsheet format
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29. Institute for Ecological Economics
Simulation Control
Control Execution
View Model Structure
Trace Dependencies
View Model Equations
Configure Visualization
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30. Institute for Ecological Economics
ViewServer Control Panel
Associates DataSets
with Viewers
Creates Viewers
Manages DataSets
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31. Institute for Ecological Economics
2D Animation Viewer
2D Animation Control
Dynamic and manual rescaling
ColorMap editor
Data viewer (point/spreadsheet)
Export as GIF or JPG
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32. 3D Animation Viewer Dynamic Landscapes Variable1 -> Altitude
Variable2 -> Color
Mouse controlled navigation
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33. Image Spreadsheet
Simultaneous display of variables at multiple timesteps
Useful for time series comparisons
Configure: start time, time step, magnification, scaling, etc.
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34. Numerical Spreadsheet
View spatial data
Attach to vis panels
Follows animation
Export to Stat packages.
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35. Institute for Ecological Economics
Chesapeake Bay Model
Links components:
Circulation (OM3)
Ecology (SME)
Atmospheric coupling
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Environmental Hydrology Applications Team

36. Collaborative Virtual Environment
Chesapeake Bay data in CVE with Cave5D/Virtual Director
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Environmental Hydrology Applications Team

37. Institute for Ecological Economics
Example Applications
Everglades Landscape Model
Patuxent Landscape Model
Baltimore Ecosystem Study
Illinois TES Models
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38. Environmental Hydrology
Institute for Ecological Economics
Environmental Hydrology Applications Team

39. Institute for Ecological Economics
SME Distribution
The SME home page:
Includes:
Overview.
Technical documentation.
Publications.
Source code (C++ and java).
Links
Institute for Ecological Economics