Multi-model integration in a decision support system: a technical user interface approach for watershed and lake management scenarios

Computer simulations using mathematical models provide useful tools to investigate different scenarios based on watershed management strategies and environmental conditions. To study the impact of these strategies and conditions, different models must be linked or coupled following hydrological pathways in air, soil and water. To connect one model to another successfully, we need to resolve a number of computational issues such as the compatibility of software tools and the consistency of the temporal and spatial scales and model assumptions used. To keep track of these issues and to provide efficient algorithms to resolve them, we propose to use a technical user interface approach based on expert system technologies that provide intelligent access to databases, models, scenarios and decision support output. We use the watershed management study on Lake Seymour, B.C., Canada, as an example to illustrate this approach.