Integrating Oceanographic Models with Gis - Roms and Beyond

1. INTRODUCTION Models provide a way to understand and predict the behavior of natural systems. Ocean-atmosphere models such as the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) are intended to provide a multipurpose , multidisciplinary oceanic modeling tool. Fisheries models provide ways to study simplified versions of complex ecosystems. While models provide greater understanding, the results can be very large, multi-dimensional and hard to understand. Ideally, visualization and analysis of the output from spatial ecological models could be easily provided by a geographic information system (GIS). In the past, these two have not been well integrated for scientific uses. Lack of true integration hinders the ability of managers and scientists to create interactive, GIS-based models for management and research. However, GIS packages are starting to provide programming constructs, by exposing code and objects, to allow closer coupling of core GIS functionality and analytical/modeling tools. In creating GeoModeler, we have provided a prototype of how one might integrate a GIS with a number of oceanographic and fisheries models. With this tool, scientists and managers are able to use a graphical interface to display datasets, select the data to be used in a scenario, set the weights for factors in the model and execute the model. The results are returned to the GIS for display and spatial analysis. The project creates a framework for linking to other types of back-end fisheries, oceanographic, and ecosystem models written in a variety of programming languages. Current prototype applications include two examples-one an oceanographic model and the other an example of scenario testing. The first involves