Difference between revisions of "EFIMOD"

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== General System description ==
+
{{DSS, Wiki quality control
 
+
|Has flag=N/A
System name: EFIMOD-Discrete Lattice Ecosystem Simulator
+
}}
 
+
{{DSS, Name, responsible organisation and contact person
Acronym: EFIMOD-DLES
+
|Has full name=EFIMOD-Discrete Lattice Ecosystem Simulator
 
+
|Has acronym=EFIMOD
=== Brief overview ===
+
|Has wiki contact person= Alexander Komarov
Briefly define purpose & capabilities of the system and available components (if any) Should be a 1-2 sentence summary of system
+
|Has wiki contact e-mail=as_komarov@rambler.ru
 
+
}}
[[Category:Help documents]]
+
{{DSS, Software identification
 
+
|Has software=EFIMOD.Software
__TOC__
+
}}
 
+
{{DSS, Description
 +
|Has description=EFIMOD is a tool to forecast carbon and nitrogen flows in forest ecosystems with strong feedback mechanism between soil and stand. It allows for description and spatial analysis of mixed stand dynamics in boreal and temperate forests at different management and external impacts.
 +
|Has modelling scope=Economical indicators, Forest indicators, user defined
 +
|Has temporal scale=Long term (strategic), Medium term (tactical)
 +
|Has spatial context=Spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations
 +
|Has spatial scale=Forest level, Stand level
 +
|Has objectives dimension=Multiple objectives
 +
|Has goods and services dimension=Market wood products, Non-market services
 +
|Has decision making dimension=Single decision maker
 +
|Has forest management goal=afforestation management, biodiversity evaluation, biomass estimation, carbon sequestration, climate change impact, conservation, fertilization, fire behaviour, forest ecology, forest fuel harvesting, forest transformation, forest vegetation management, natural hazards, nitrate leaching, nutrient balance, silvicultural regime, yield prediction, wood supply planning, multi-functional
 +
|Supports tree species=Spruce, Pine, Birch, Aspen, Lime, Oak; other species can be included after additional parameterization
 +
|Supports silvicultural regime=user defined
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, Concrete application
 +
|Has typical use case=assessment of carbon sequestration, soil dynamics and wood production under different regimes of forest management, climate change and natural disturbances
 +
|Has user profile=Non-industrial private owners, forest owners associations, national forest administration, NGO, local administration
 +
|Has country=Russia
 +
|Has number of users=<=30
 +
|Has number of real-life applications=<=30
 +
|Has utilisation in education=presentation/demo
 +
|Has tool dissemination=training available on request
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, Decision support techniques used in the DSS
 +
|Has decision support techniques=EFIMOD.Decision support techniques
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, Support of Knowledge Management
 +
|Has knowledge management processes=EFIMOD.Knowledge management process
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, Support of social participation
 +
|Has support for social participation=EFIMOD.Support of social participation
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, DSS development
 +
|Has DSS development=EFIMOD.Description of DSS development
 +
}}
 +
{{DSS, Documentation
 +
|Has website=http://ecomodelling.ru/index.php/en/models/
 +
|Has manual=No
 +
|Has technical documentation=Yes
 +
|Has reference=Chertov et al., 1997; Chertov et al., 2001; Komarov et al., 2003; Khanina et al., 2007; Shanin et al., 2011
 +
}}
 +
= ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (needs to be migrated using the "edit with form" link) =
 
=== Scope of the system ===
 
=== Scope of the system ===
* tool encourages decision maker to discover new problems or opportunities by exposing to new information or results
+
The tool provides information to assess forest/soil natural development, forest/land-use management, and different scenarios of external impacts.
* tool helps decision makers in recognizing upcoming problems for which solutions have been developed previously
+
* tool allows decision maker to actively create new knowledge when faced with a new problem and to develop novel solutions
+
* tool allows decision maker to capture knowledge, making it available to decision makers who are seeking solutions from previously solved problems
+
  
 
=== System origin ===
 
=== System origin ===
* Who and when was it developed
+
It was developed by a researchers’ team in the Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science (Pushchino, Russia) and Biological Institute of Sankt-Petersburg State University with support of European Forest Institute (Joensuu, Finland) and Joensuu University (Joensuu, Finland). First prototype was implemented in 1996 being not a commercial product and based on earlier models by O.Chertov.
* how was it developed
+
The tool has been applied in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Czech  Republic, and in several international projects (three projects in INTAS EU Program, FP5 EU-Programme Project CT98-4124 “Relationships Between Recent Changes of Growth and Nutrition of Norway Spruce, Scots Pine, and European Beech Forests in Europe (RECOGNITION)”, FP6 EU Programme INCO - 013388 “Impacts and risks from anthrpogenic disturbances on soils, carbon dynamics and vegetation in podzolic ecosystems (OMRISK)” and other projects. It has been implemented also for several applications in frame of the National Program of Russian Academy of Sciences “Change of Environment and Climate”.
* is it a commercial product
+
[[File:EFIMOD_applications.jpg|500px|thumb|Application of EFIMOD]]
* does it have real-life application cases
+
  
 
=== Support for specific issues  ===
 
=== Support for specific issues  ===
Is the system designed to take into account specific uses? E.g. guidance on ways to characterize biodiversity, economic-biodiversity tradeoff analysis methods, risk assessment methods, landscape analysis methods, timber harvest effects, climate change effects, biological effects (pests, pathogens, invasives), fire,...  
+
The system is designed to take into account timber harvest effects, dynamics of ecosystem and forest understorey biodiversivity, climate change effects, landscape analysis methods, nitrogen deposition effects, and fires.
  
 
=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
 
=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
 
* Silvicultural  
 
* Silvicultural  
* Certification
 
 
* Conservation  
 
* Conservation  
 
* Restoration  
 
* Restoration  
* Transportation
 
 
* Development choices / land use zoning  
 
* Development choices / land use zoning  
* Policy/intervention alternatives
+
* Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)  
* Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)
+
  
 
=== Capability to support decision making phases  ===  
 
=== Capability to support decision making phases  ===  
''(NOTE I do not quite know what to do with this, as I do not understand it myself, although it seems related to system use)''
+
In current version, the GUI helps the user to compare dynamics of ecosystem parameters (e.g. growing stock, stand and soil carbon and nitrogen pools, biodiversity ranks etc.) at different scenarios of forest management and other external impacts.
 
+
(Click [[Simon's decision making model|here]] to see a more detailed explanation)
+
* Intelligence (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Design (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Choice (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Monitor (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
  
 
=== Related systems  ===
 
=== Related systems  ===
Describe (and/or link to) other systems related
+
[[CommonGIS]]
  
 
== Data and data models ==
 
== Data and data models ==
  
 
=== Typical spatial extent of application  ===
 
=== Typical spatial extent of application  ===
Define the scale of use for the application (user defined, regional, multi-owner forest single ownership forest, Multiple scale interaction)
+
The application can be used on regional, forest-enterprise, and forest stand scale.
  
 
=== Forest data input  ===
 
=== Forest data input  ===
Describe the basic forest input (forest level, stand level, or individual tree level), and appropriate meta-data, such as data provenance (Areal coverage, Sample of plots, stands, Contiguous forest cover). GIS information is to be considered here, namely include cover tyes and type of information (raster or vectorial, necessity of topological information)  If necessary describe surrogate sources of information
+
The system uses stand-level inputs from forest inventory database, the pools of soil organic matter and nitrogen in different soil layers, and climatic and hydrological data. Detailed list of input parameters you may find at [http://ecomodelling.ru/index.php/en/models/ EFIMOD-DLES webpage].
 
+
If necessary describe other types of required data (economic, social)
+
  
 
=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
 
=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
Describe what is the information that the user directly inputs in the system if any): expert knowledge, opinion, goals and production objectives, preferences, stand/site information....
+
User may define the scenario of forest ecosystem development via specifying various management options, such as different types of cuttings, plantings etc.; external impacts, such as fires, climate change, different levels of nitrogen deposition. For biodiversity assessment, regional phytosociological data is required.
  
 
== Models ==
 
== Models ==
  
=== Forest models ===
+
=== Forest model ===
Growth, Yield, Carbon, Wood quality, biodiversity and habitat suitability, environmental and external effects (fire, storms, pests, diseases, climate change, etc)
+
[[Image:EFIMOD_flowchart.jpg|300px|thumb|Flowchart of EFIMOD model]]
 +
The modelling tool of forest ecosystem EFIMOD <ref>Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Tsiplianovsky, A.V. 1999. A combined simulation model of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Silver birch ecosystems in European boreal zone. Forest Ecology and Management 116: 189-206.</ref><ref>Komarov, A., Chertov, O., Zudin, S., Nadporozhskaya, M., Mikhailov, A., Bykhovets, S., Zudina, E., Zoubkova. 2003. EFIMOD 2 - - A model of growth and elements cycling in boreal forest ecosystems. Ecological Modelling 170 (2-3): 373-392.</ref><ref>Komarov, A.S., Chertov, O.G., Mikhailov, and Autors’ Collective (14 names). 2007. Modelling Dynamics of Organic Matter in Forest Ecosystems [Responsible editor V.N. Kudeyarov]. Nauka, Moscow. 380 p. In Russian with English contents. ISBN 5-02-034053-7.</ref> is an individual-based spatially explicit simulator of tree-soil system that calculates parameters of carbon balance and standard forest inventory characteristics: NPP, Rh, soil available nitrogen, tree and stand biomass by tree compartments, soil organic matter (SOM) and N pools, stand density, height, DBH, growing stock and some other parameters. It includes soil model [[#Soil models|ROMUL]] as an important component<ref>Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.</ref> that is driven by soil water, temperature and SOM parameters. The statistical generator of soil climate [[#Climate models|SCLISS]] was compiled to run [[#Soil models|ROMUL]]. The EFIMOD allows for a calculation the effect of silvicultural operations and forest fires. Now it is linked with a system of plant biodiversity assessment [[#Models of biodiversity |BioCalc]].
  
=== Social models ===
+
=== Soil model ===
historical and cultural values of sites, values due to peace and quiet, esthetic values, values due to recreational activities, ethical values): E. g. Recreation, Health, Game
+
[[Image:ROMUL_flowchart.jpg|400px|thumb|Flowchart of ROMUL model]]
 +
The ROMUL model<ref>Chertov O.G., Komarov A.S. 1997. SOMM -- a model of soil organic matter dynamics. Ecological Modelling 94(2-3): 177-189.</ref><ref>Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.</ref> of soil organic matter (SOM) and nitrogen mineralisation and humification calculates the transformation  of litter and SOM compartments, the gross carbon dioxide flow from the soil due to SOM mineralisation and the nitrogen available for plant growth. The rate of litter and SOM mineralisation and humification is dependent on the litter quality, soil temperature and moisture, and on some soil parameters. The model validation and sensitivity analyses had been performed using a set of published laboratory and field experiments<ref>Chertov O.G., Komarov A.S. 1997. SOMM -- a model of soil organic matter dynamics. Ecological Modelling 94(2-3): 177-189.</ref><ref>Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.</ref><ref>Komarov, A.S., Chertov, O.G., Mikhailov, and Autors’ Collective (14 names). 2007. Modelling Dynamics of Organic Matter in Forest Ecosystems [Responsible editor V.N. Kudeyarov]. Nauka, Moscow. 380 p. In Russian with English contents. ISBN 5-02-034053-7.</ref>.
  
 +
=== Climate model ===
 +
A soil climate generator SCLISS<ref>Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.</ref> is used in the model for two purposes: (1) as a method of evaluation of soil temperature and moisture using measured standard meteorological long-term data; (2) statistical simulation (generation) of realisations of long-term series of necessary input climate data with known statistical properties. The model uses monthly average data on air, litter and soil temperature, precipitation, litter and mineral soil moisture.
 +
 +
=== Model of biodiversity ===
 +
A model BioCalc (BIOdiversity CALCulator) forecasts dynamics of ecosystem and species understorey diversity of each forest unit along the EFIMOD simulation outputs on a base of standard forest inventory data linked with the results of detailed phytosociological research <ref>Khanina, L., Bobrovsky, M., Komarov, A., Mikhajlov, A., 2007. Modelling dynamics of forest ground vegetation diversity under different forest management regimes. For. Ecol. Manage. 248: 80-94</ref>.
 +
 +
More detailed description of models you may find at [http://ecomodelling.ru/index.php/en/models/ EFIMOD-DLES webpage].
  
 
== Decision Support ==
 
== Decision Support ==
  
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
Define what is available for the manager to intervene in the forest: time of harvest, plantations, thinnings, reconversions...
+
The manager can intervene in the forest: time of harvest, plantations, thinnings, selective cuttings, natural regeneration, converting of forest into agricultural lands and back.
Existence of prescription writer, simple enumeration of all possibilities, scenario simulation , etc.  
+
  
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
Define the temporal scale of the application: E.g., operational and immediate level, Tactical planning (short term) and strategic level.  
+
The system allows for short-term prognosis (e.g. rotation period) and long-term prognosis (e.g. several generations of tree species) with annual temporal resolution.
  
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
 
*Management level  
 
*Management level  
 
**strategic decisions
 
**strategic decisions
**administrative decisions
 
 
**operating control decisions
 
**operating control decisions
* Management function
 
 
* planning decisions
 
* planning decisions
 
**organizing decisions
 
**organizing decisions
**command decisions
 
**control decisions
 
 
** coordination decisions
 
** coordination decisions
*decision making situation
 
**unilateral
 
** collegial
 
**Bargaining / participative decision making
 
  
 
=== Decision-making processes and models ===
 
=== Decision-making processes and models ===
 
*Logic modeling  
 
*Logic modeling  
*Operations research modeling
+
*Heuristic manipulation of simulation models  
**Direct approaches
+
**Heuristic manipulation of simulation models  
+
*Business modeling
+
 
*Simulation (with and without stochasticity)
 
*Simulation (with and without stochasticity)
*Multiple criteria/ranking
 
*Other
 
  
 
== Output ==
 
== Output ==
 
+
[[Image:CommonGIS_GUI.jpg|400px|thumb|CommonGIS user interface]]
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
  
Types of outputs produced (tables, maps, 3-D visualizations, pre-programmed summaries, etc)
+
Results are reported as tables, maps, graphs, stand-level 3-D visualizations.
  
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
* integrated capabilities
+
The system is linked to [[CommonGIS]].
* facilitates links to GIS (wizards, etc.)
+
* provides standard data import/export formats
+
* allows spatial analysis (e.g. topology overlays (e.g. multi layering of different maps, selection of objects based on selection criteria, aggregation by attributes (e.g. areas of similar characteristics), Linking by logical means, Statistics by area, analysis with digital terrain model)
+
  
 
=== Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues  ===
 
=== Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues  ===
Evaluate interactions between different basic information types (biophysical, economic, social). Produce coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales facilitate social negotiation and learning
+
The system produces coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales, facilitates social negotiation and learning.
  
 
== System ==
 
== System ==
  
 
=== System requirements  ===
 
=== System requirements  ===
* Operating Systems: (Windows, Macintosh, Linux/UNIX, Web-based, Others)
+
* Hardware requirements: 1GHz x86 CPU, 256Mb RAM, 50Mb disk space.
* Other software needed (GIS, MIP packages, etc...) 
+
* Operating Systems: Windows 98/2K/XP/Vista.
* Development status  
+
* Other software needed: the user does not need to acquire additional software.  
 +
* Development status: completed.
  
 
=== Architecture and major DSS components ===
 
=== Architecture and major DSS components ===
Describe the basic architecture of the system in software and hardware. Desktop client-server, web based, as well as the  integration with available systems. Basic data flow, focusing on retrieval of required input and propagation and implementations of decisions. Mention its modular and scalability capabilities.
+
The system is a set of desktop Win32-applications.
  
 
=== Usage ===
 
=== Usage ===
Describe the level of use: Research level use, Industry use, Government use
+
Research and regional administration level.
  
 
=== Computational limitations ===
 
=== Computational limitations ===
Describe the system limitations: e.g. number of management units, number of vehicles, time horizon
+
Run time is impacted by the number of management units.
  
 
=== User interface ===
 
=== User interface ===
Describe the quality of user interface and the Prerequisite knowledge for using the system
+
The system has a standard Windows GUI. Use of the system requires basic forestry and soil science background.
  
 
=== Documentation and support ===
 
=== Documentation and support ===
Describe the connection to Help-system and possibilities for assistance, as well as the required training and user support levels
+
English version of user manual is now in progress.
  
 
=== Installation ===
 
=== Installation ===
* Prerequisite knowledge: Level of effort to become functional
+
The system is completely portable: no special installation is required.
* Cost: (purchase price, development costs, demonstrated return on investment, cost of use, training costs, licence and maintenance costs)
+
* Demo: allows the download/utilization of a trial version. If yes, where is it available and what are the trial conditions.
+
  
==References==
+
= References =
  
===Cited references===
+
== Cited references ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
===External resources===
+
== External resources ==
 +
* http://ecomodelling.ru/index.php/en/models/ - description of EFIMOD-DLES

Latest revision as of 15:42, 2 April 2013

Wiki quality control

Has flag N/A

Name, responsible organisation and contact person

Has full name EFIMOD-Discrete Lattice Ecosystem Simulator
Has acronym EFIMOD
Has wiki contact person Alexander Komarov
Has wiki contact e-mail as_komarov@rambler.ru

Software identification

Has software EFIMOD.Software

Description

Has description EFIMOD is a tool to forecast carbon and nitrogen flows in forest ecosystems with strong feedback mechanism between soil and stand. It allows for description and spatial analysis of mixed stand dynamics in boreal and temperate forests at different management and external impacts.
Has modelling scope Economical indicators, Forest indicators, user defined
Has temporal scale Long term (strategic), Medium term (tactical)
Has spatial context Spatial with no neighbourhood interrelations
Has spatial scale Forest level, Stand level
Has objectives dimension Multiple objectives
Has related DSS
Has goods and services dimension Market wood products, Non-market services
Has decision making dimension Single decision maker
Has forest management goal afforestation management, biodiversity evaluation, biomass estimation, carbon sequestration, climate change impact, conservation, fertilization, fire behaviour, forest ecology, forest fuel harvesting, forest transformation, forest vegetation management, natural hazards, nitrate leaching, nutrient balance, silvicultural regime, yield prediction, wood supply planning, multi-functional
Supports tree species Spruce, Pine, Birch, Aspen, Lime, Oak; other species can be included after additional parameterization
Supports silvicultural regime user defined

Concrete application

Has typical use case assessment of carbon sequestration, soil dynamics and wood production under different regimes of forest management, climate change and natural disturbances
Has user profile Non-industrial private owners, forest owners associations, national forest administration, NGO, local administration
Has country Russia
Has references about examples of application
Has number of users <=30
Has number of real-life applications <=30
Has utilisation in education presentation/demo
Has research project reference
Has tool dissemination training available on request

Decision support techniques used in the DSS

Has decision support techniques EFIMOD.Decision support techniques

Support of Knowledge Management

Has knowledge management processes EFIMOD.Knowledge management process

Support of social participation

Has support for social participation EFIMOD.Support of social participation

DSS development

Has DSS development EFIMOD.Description of DSS development

Documentation

Has website http://ecomodelling.ru/index.php/en/models/
Has online demo
Has manual No
Has technical documentation Yes
Has reference Chertov et al., 1997; Chertov et al., 2001; Komarov et al., 2003; Khanina et al., 2007; Shanin et al., 2011

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (needs to be migrated using the "edit with form" link)

Scope of the system

The tool provides information to assess forest/soil natural development, forest/land-use management, and different scenarios of external impacts.

System origin

It was developed by a researchers’ team in the Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science (Pushchino, Russia) and Biological Institute of Sankt-Petersburg State University with support of European Forest Institute (Joensuu, Finland) and Joensuu University (Joensuu, Finland). First prototype was implemented in 1996 being not a commercial product and based on earlier models by O.Chertov. The tool has been applied in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and in several international projects (three projects in INTAS EU Program, FP5 EU-Programme Project CT98-4124 “Relationships Between Recent Changes of Growth and Nutrition of Norway Spruce, Scots Pine, and European Beech Forests in Europe (RECOGNITION)”, FP6 EU Programme INCO - 013388 “Impacts and risks from anthrpogenic disturbances on soils, carbon dynamics and vegetation in podzolic ecosystems (OMRISK)” and other projects. It has been implemented also for several applications in frame of the National Program of Russian Academy of Sciences “Change of Environment and Climate”.

Application of EFIMOD

Support for specific issues

The system is designed to take into account timber harvest effects, dynamics of ecosystem and forest understorey biodiversivity, climate change effects, landscape analysis methods, nitrogen deposition effects, and fires.

Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type

  • Silvicultural
  • Conservation
  • Restoration
  • Development choices / land use zoning
  • Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)

Capability to support decision making phases

In current version, the GUI helps the user to compare dynamics of ecosystem parameters (e.g. growing stock, stand and soil carbon and nitrogen pools, biodiversity ranks etc.) at different scenarios of forest management and other external impacts.

Related systems

CommonGIS

Data and data models

Typical spatial extent of application

The application can be used on regional, forest-enterprise, and forest stand scale.

Forest data input

The system uses stand-level inputs from forest inventory database, the pools of soil organic matter and nitrogen in different soil layers, and climatic and hydrological data. Detailed list of input parameters you may find at EFIMOD-DLES webpage.

Type of information input from user (via GUI)

User may define the scenario of forest ecosystem development via specifying various management options, such as different types of cuttings, plantings etc.; external impacts, such as fires, climate change, different levels of nitrogen deposition. For biodiversity assessment, regional phytosociological data is required.

Models

Forest model

Flowchart of EFIMOD model

The modelling tool of forest ecosystem EFIMOD [1][2][3] is an individual-based spatially explicit simulator of tree-soil system that calculates parameters of carbon balance and standard forest inventory characteristics: NPP, Rh, soil available nitrogen, tree and stand biomass by tree compartments, soil organic matter (SOM) and N pools, stand density, height, DBH, growing stock and some other parameters. It includes soil model ROMUL as an important component[4] that is driven by soil water, temperature and SOM parameters. The statistical generator of soil climate SCLISS was compiled to run ROMUL. The EFIMOD allows for a calculation the effect of silvicultural operations and forest fires. Now it is linked with a system of plant biodiversity assessment BioCalc.

Soil model

Flowchart of ROMUL model

The ROMUL model[5][6] of soil organic matter (SOM) and nitrogen mineralisation and humification calculates the transformation of litter and SOM compartments, the gross carbon dioxide flow from the soil due to SOM mineralisation and the nitrogen available for plant growth. The rate of litter and SOM mineralisation and humification is dependent on the litter quality, soil temperature and moisture, and on some soil parameters. The model validation and sensitivity analyses had been performed using a set of published laboratory and field experiments[7][8][9].

Climate model

A soil climate generator SCLISS[10] is used in the model for two purposes: (1) as a method of evaluation of soil temperature and moisture using measured standard meteorological long-term data; (2) statistical simulation (generation) of realisations of long-term series of necessary input climate data with known statistical properties. The model uses monthly average data on air, litter and soil temperature, precipitation, litter and mineral soil moisture.

Model of biodiversity

A model BioCalc (BIOdiversity CALCulator) forecasts dynamics of ecosystem and species understorey diversity of each forest unit along the EFIMOD simulation outputs on a base of standard forest inventory data linked with the results of detailed phytosociological research [11].

More detailed description of models you may find at EFIMOD-DLES webpage.

Decision Support

Definition of management interventions

The manager can intervene in the forest: time of harvest, plantations, thinnings, selective cuttings, natural regeneration, converting of forest into agricultural lands and back.

Typical temporal scale of application

The system allows for short-term prognosis (e.g. rotation period) and long-term prognosis (e.g. several generations of tree species) with annual temporal resolution.

Types of decisions supported

  • Management level
    • strategic decisions
    • operating control decisions
  • planning decisions
    • organizing decisions
    • coordination decisions

Decision-making processes and models

  • Logic modeling
  • Heuristic manipulation of simulation models
  • Simulation (with and without stochasticity)

Output

CommonGIS user interface

Types of outputs

Results are reported as tables, maps, graphs, stand-level 3-D visualizations.

Spatial analysis capabilities

The system is linked to CommonGIS.

Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues

The system produces coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales, facilitates social negotiation and learning.

System

System requirements

  • Hardware requirements: 1GHz x86 CPU, 256Mb RAM, 50Mb disk space.
  • Operating Systems: Windows 98/2K/XP/Vista.
  • Other software needed: the user does not need to acquire additional software.
  • Development status: completed.

Architecture and major DSS components

The system is a set of desktop Win32-applications.

Usage

Research and regional administration level.

Computational limitations

Run time is impacted by the number of management units.

User interface

The system has a standard Windows GUI. Use of the system requires basic forestry and soil science background.

Documentation and support

English version of user manual is now in progress.

Installation

The system is completely portable: no special installation is required.

References

Cited references

  1. Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Tsiplianovsky, A.V. 1999. A combined simulation model of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Silver birch ecosystems in European boreal zone. Forest Ecology and Management 116: 189-206.
  2. Komarov, A., Chertov, O., Zudin, S., Nadporozhskaya, M., Mikhailov, A., Bykhovets, S., Zudina, E., Zoubkova. 2003. EFIMOD 2 - - A model of growth and elements cycling in boreal forest ecosystems. Ecological Modelling 170 (2-3): 373-392.
  3. Komarov, A.S., Chertov, O.G., Mikhailov, and Autors’ Collective (14 names). 2007. Modelling Dynamics of Organic Matter in Forest Ecosystems [Responsible editor V.N. Kudeyarov]. Nauka, Moscow. 380 p. In Russian with English contents. ISBN 5-02-034053-7.
  4. Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.
  5. Chertov O.G., Komarov A.S. 1997. SOMM -- a model of soil organic matter dynamics. Ecological Modelling 94(2-3): 177-189.
  6. Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.
  7. Chertov O.G., Komarov A.S. 1997. SOMM -- a model of soil organic matter dynamics. Ecological Modelling 94(2-3): 177-189.
  8. Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.
  9. Komarov, A.S., Chertov, O.G., Mikhailov, and Autors’ Collective (14 names). 2007. Modelling Dynamics of Organic Matter in Forest Ecosystems [Responsible editor V.N. Kudeyarov]. Nauka, Moscow. 380 p. In Russian with English contents. ISBN 5-02-034053-7.
  10. Chertov, O.G. Komarov, A.S., Nadporozhskaya, M.A., Bykhovets, S.A., Zudin, S.L. 2001. ROMUL – a model of forest soil organic matter dynamics as a substantial tool for forest ecosystem modelling. Ecological Modelling 138 (1-3): 289-308.
  11. Khanina, L., Bobrovsky, M., Komarov, A., Mikhajlov, A., 2007. Modelling dynamics of forest ground vegetation diversity under different forest management regimes. For. Ecol. Manage. 248: 80-94

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