Difference between revisions of "Capsis"

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== General System description ==  
 
== General System description ==  
  
System name: Capsis - '''C'''omputer '''A'''ided '''P'''rojections of '''S'''trategies '''I'''n '''S'''ilviculture
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System name: Capsis - '''C'''omputer '''A'''ided '''P'''rojection of '''S'''trategies '''I'''n '''S'''ilviculture
  
 
Acronym: Capsis
 
Acronym: Capsis
 +
 +
 +
 +
[[Category:Decision support system]]
 +
[[Category:French DSS]]
 +
  
 
=== Brief overview ===
 
=== Brief overview ===
[[ETÇAP]] is an ecosystem based forest management planning software that allows both evaluating the current estate of a forest ecosystem and preparing specific management plans for a given management objectives under various constraints.
+
[[Capsis]] is a software platform which purpose is to host forestry growth and yield / dynamics models. It can help run various silvicultural scenarios by combining a given growth model with silvicultural treatments. It was built by french researchers (INRA, France) for forest research (hypotheses testing, model evaluation), transfert to forest managers (particularly french ONF) and educational purposes.
 +
 
 +
It may help for decision making in forest management in some particular cases.
 +
 
 +
[[File:capsis415_mac.png]]
 +
[[File:capsis_ventoux.png]]
  
 
=== 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
 
* 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 ===
+
Capsis is a simulation platform for forestry growth / dynamics models. It is a tool for forestry researchers, forest managers and educational purposes. It makes possible to implement models of various types (stand models, distance-independent or distance-dependent tree models, mixt models…), to run simulations and then compare the different scenarios in the same tool.
• Developed by [[Emin Zeki BAŞKENT]], [[Sedat KELEŞ]] and [[Ali İhsan KADIOĞULLARI]]
+
• [[ETÇAP]] is in this moment ready to be used in some forest management planning units  (Kızılcasu-Cide; Gürgendağ-Edremit; Honaz-Denizli and Akseki-İbradı) in Turkey and will be soon adapted to other Turkish regions after evaluation by the Forest Management Department in Turkish Forest Service
+
[[Category: Turkish DSS]]
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[[Category: Traditional simulation]]
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[[Category: Simulated annealing]]
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[[Category: Random ascent]]
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[[Category: Linear programming]]
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[[Category: Decision support system]]
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[[Category: Strategical plannig]]
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[[Category: harvest scheduling]]
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[[Category: spatial planning]]
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[[Category: spatial level]]
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[[Category: stand level]]
+
  
=== Support for specific issues  ===
+
Thanks to its flexible architecture, it is possible to integrate heterogeneous models (uneven-aged, several species) with various processes (growth, competition, mortality, regeneration…) and to run simulations in interactive or script modes. Some models can have very particular properties, e.g. radiative balance, genetics information at the individual level, internal biomechanics or wood quality.
Inventory compilation, harvest scheduling, timber-water-carbon production or prediction, soil protection, yield prediction, biodiversity conservation, spatial planning
+
  
=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
+
=== System origin ===
* Timber cruising
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* Silvicultural
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* Certification
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* Conservation
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* Development choices / land use zoning
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* Policy/intervention alternatives
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* Spatial layout of interventions
+
  
=== Capability to support decision making phases  ===
+
* The first version was developped by Philippe Dreyfus (INRA URFM, Avignon, France) between 1994 and 1999.
''(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)''
+
* Since 1999 the platform has been developed by [[François de Coligny]] (INRA AMAP, Montpellier, France), joined by [[Samuel Dufour]] in 2008.
  
(Click [[Simon's decision making model|here]] to see a more detailed explanation)
+
=== Support for specific issues  ===
* Intelligence (The current conditions of the forest can be analysed with various management strategies to achieve targets and a spatially configured harvest schedules be prepared.)
+
* Design (The simulation tool runs the different management possibilities among the restrictions imposed by the input data to understand forest dynamics.
+
The optimization tool projects the current state of a forest into a target forest under various management prescriptions with objectives and constraints.)
+
* Choice (Heuristic tools are used in order to ensure the spatial layout of the best management option chosen by the manager. )
+
* Monitor (Not implemented.)
+
  
=== Related systems  ===
+
The supported issues depend on the model which has been integrated in Capsis. It can be for instance
* [[AROBEM]] (empirical growth and yield model inherent in ETÇAP)
+
growth and biomass estimation, carbon storage, logging, regeneration and mortality estimation, risk management, economical balances, evaluation of different silvicultural strategies and harvesting scenarii...
* [[ETÇAPKlasik]]
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* [[ETÇAPSimulation]]
+
* [[ETÇAPOptimization]]
+
* [[ETÇAPKombineOptimization]]
+
  
 
== Data and data models ==
 
== Data and data models ==
  
 
=== Typical spatial extent of application  ===
 
=== Typical spatial extent of application  ===
The normal spatial application level of ETÇAP is the forest level with various stands.  Yet the spatial resolution of the model is the stand, the smallest identifiable unit of forest area.
+
The normal spatial application level of Capsis is the stand level but can be extended to the forest level
 +
for specific models.
  
 
=== Forest data input  ===
 
=== Forest data input  ===
ETÇAP input information are inventory data that can be imported from files with .xls or .mdb extensions with a specific format.
+
Capsis input information are  
The input data required depends on the characteristics of the stand. Three groups of data are needed for the model; the current area of the stands generated by a GIS software, current status of each stand measured with inventory sheets for per area growth and yield characteristics (in each plot: the plot size, diameters of all stems, ages of some stems, age and dominant height for a number of stems, and ten-last-years growth for  some trees) and the other support tables (volume table, empirical yield table, site index table, product assortment table and financial value table) characteristics
+
 
In order to allow spatial layout of a harvest schedule for visualization and generation of maps, compartments, forest stratifications and analysis areas have to be set and related to each polygon (a sub-compartment =stand) with geographic files
+
* inventory data that can be imported from files  
 +
* simulated data calcultated by specific algorithms
  
If necessary describe other types of required data (economic, social)
+
Each model can have its own and specific input file formats.
  
 
=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
 
=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
Forest management strategies with specific objectives and constraints have to be developed as shown in the user interface. More than one goal may be selected to address multi-objective management of forests. The indicated targets as management objectives are both yield-economic goals and conservation targets.  
+
 
 +
Each model integrated in capsis has its own GUI. This gui allow to set the model input parameters.  
 +
These parameters depend on the model. There are various types of inputs :
 +
 
 +
* Initial parameters
 +
* Evolution parameters
 +
* Intervention parameters (managed with plugins that may be compatible with several growth models)
  
 
== Models ==
 
== Models ==
  
 
=== Forest models ===
 
=== Forest models ===
Models implemented in ETÇAP simulate  silvicultural treatment schedules according to the stand variables previously given based on both optimization and simulation techniques.
 
Currently ETÇAP has implemented models for the management of either even-aged, uneven-aged, pures or mixed forest stands of any species that have the growth and yield data
 
  
=== Social models ===
+
There are around 50 models integrated in Capsis : see [http://capsis.cirad.fr/capsis/models capsis models].
-Not available yet
+
 
 +
* stand models
 +
* diameter class models
 +
* distance independant tree models
 +
* distance dependant tree models
 +
* mixt models...
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
== Decision Support ==
 
== Decision Support ==
  
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
The user lays out the alternative management prescriptions as sequences of silvicultural treatments; how, when (time of harvest, regeneration methods, thinnings, etc.) and where (a stand or a contiguous group of stands) the treatments could be conducted in order to achieve the previously chosen management targets.  
+
 
 +
Capsis supports numerous types of generic interventions:
 +
 
 +
* thresholds on tree age, height, diameter
 +
* thinning diagram (cut in girth / diameter classes)
 +
* individual thinning
 +
* thinning with the mouse on a map
 +
* specific strategies like French ONF thinning...
 +
 
 +
Each model can also implements its specific intervention mechanisms depending on specific parameters.
  
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
[[Strategic]] and [[tactical planning]]
+
 
 +
The temporal scale depends on the model: it can be short or long term simulation. The time is discretized in steps. The time step also depends on the model implementation.
 +
 
 +
The typical time step is one year but other possible time steps are: day, fortnight (2 weeks), month, 3 years. Some models may manage several years for several processes.
  
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
* Management level
+
 
** Strategic decisions
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It depends of the integrated model.
** Operating control decisions
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* Management function
+
  
 
=== Decision-making processes and models ===
 
=== Decision-making processes and models ===
* [[Traditional simulation]]
 
* [[Simulated annealing]]
 
* [[Random ascent]]
 
* [[Linear programming]]
 
  
 +
The main goals of the models in Capsis are to study various management scenarios to predict plantations growth / forests dynamics to assess production or viability issues.
 +
 +
Capsis can also host models for very different studies:
 +
 +
* wind risk
 +
* trees / crops interaction (agroforestry)
 +
* tree canopy plasticity
 +
* evolution of biomass in many compartments
 +
* forest fires prevention
 +
* heterogeneous forests study...
 +
 +
Capsis can help elaborate scenarios to reach specific management objectives.
 +
 +
Capsis integrates optimization methods to help evaluate various management strategies. It can also be used to run sensitivity analyses on the model parameters.
  
 
== Output ==
 
== Output ==
Line 107: Line 117:
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
  
* Stand level table and graphical outputs showing the temporal changes of its parameters
+
* stand level table and graphical outputs showing the temporal changes
* Forest level outputs showing the performance of forest dynamics based on selected performance indicators in various display formats (bar chart, line chart, table format)
+
* stand level 2D viewer
* Forest level map display depicting the long term harvest schedules (regeneration, thinning, and aforestation)
+
* stand level 3D viewer
 +
* many file exports with specific formats (plugins with new formats can be added when needed) to connect with data analysis tools or other downstream simulators
  
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
* integrated capabilities
 
* facilitates links to GIS 
 
* provides standard data import/export formats
 
* [[allows spatial query]]
 
* statistics by area
 
  
 +
Facilitates links to Geographical Information Systems with [http://www.geotools.org geotools java library]
  
 
=== 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).  
+
 
 +
Capsis models can be coupled to other models or frameworks to address interdisciplinary issues.
 +
Capsis can also be used as an external model or library.
 +
For instance, a Capsis-hosted model can be used in the OpenAlea <ref>[http://openalea.gforge.inria.fr]</ref> framework.
 +
Some Capsis models also link to agronomical models (STICS), architectural models (AMAPsim), biomechanical models (FOREOLE) or radiative balance (ARCHIMED, SLIM)...
  
 
== System ==
 
== System ==
Line 134: Line 145:
 
=== Usage ===
 
=== Usage ===
  
Research level use
+
Research level use / knowledge transfert to expert level users
  
 
=== Computational limitations ===
 
=== Computational limitations ===
  
 
+
System memory limitation
  
 
=== User interface ===
 
=== User interface ===
In-hose developed GUI is available
+
 
 +
Capsis provides :
 +
* an interactive graphical user interface
 +
* a script mode (without gui) based on java or groovy
  
 
=== Documentation and support ===
 
=== Documentation and support ===
  
See [http://www.inra.fr/capsis]
+
See the Capsis web site <ref>[http://www.inra.fr/capsis capsis web site]</ref> : [http://www.inra.fr/capsis capsis web site]
  
 
=== Installation ===
 
=== Installation ===
  
* a Free and OpenSource version is available on the web
+
A free and open source version is available on the web, it contains only few free models for evaluation: http://capsis.cirad.fr/capsis/download
 
+
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 158: Line 171:
  
 
===External resources===
 
===External resources===
 +
 +
* de Coligny F., 2007. Efficient Building of Forestry Modelling Software with the Capsis Methodology. In: Fourcaud T, Zhang XP, eds. Plant Growth Modeling and Applications. Proceedings of PMA06. Los Alamitos, California: IEEE Computer Society, pp. 216-222.

Latest revision as of 06:48, 14 October 2012

General System description

System name: Capsis - Computer Aided Projection of Strategies In Silviculture

Acronym: Capsis


Brief overview

Capsis is a software platform which purpose is to host forestry growth and yield / dynamics models. It can help run various silvicultural scenarios by combining a given growth model with silvicultural treatments. It was built by french researchers (INRA, France) for forest research (hypotheses testing, model evaluation), transfert to forest managers (particularly french ONF) and educational purposes.

It may help for decision making in forest management in some particular cases.

Capsis415 mac.png Capsis ventoux.png

Scope of the system

Capsis is a simulation platform for forestry growth / dynamics models. It is a tool for forestry researchers, forest managers and educational purposes. It makes possible to implement models of various types (stand models, distance-independent or distance-dependent tree models, mixt models…), to run simulations and then compare the different scenarios in the same tool.

Thanks to its flexible architecture, it is possible to integrate heterogeneous models (uneven-aged, several species) with various processes (growth, competition, mortality, regeneration…) and to run simulations in interactive or script modes. Some models can have very particular properties, e.g. radiative balance, genetics information at the individual level, internal biomechanics or wood quality.

System origin

  • The first version was developped by Philippe Dreyfus (INRA URFM, Avignon, France) between 1994 and 1999.
  • Since 1999 the platform has been developed by François de Coligny (INRA AMAP, Montpellier, France), joined by Samuel Dufour in 2008.

Support for specific issues

The supported issues depend on the model which has been integrated in Capsis. It can be for instance growth and biomass estimation, carbon storage, logging, regeneration and mortality estimation, risk management, economical balances, evaluation of different silvicultural strategies and harvesting scenarii...

Data and data models

Typical spatial extent of application

The normal spatial application level of Capsis is the stand level but can be extended to the forest level for specific models.

Forest data input

Capsis input information are

  • inventory data that can be imported from files
  • simulated data calcultated by specific algorithms

Each model can have its own and specific input file formats.

Type of information input from user (via GUI)

Each model integrated in capsis has its own GUI. This gui allow to set the model input parameters. These parameters depend on the model. There are various types of inputs :

  • Initial parameters
  • Evolution parameters
  • Intervention parameters (managed with plugins that may be compatible with several growth models)

Models

Forest models

There are around 50 models integrated in Capsis : see capsis models.

  • stand models
  • diameter class models
  • distance independant tree models
  • distance dependant tree models
  • mixt models...


Decision Support

Definition of management interventions

Capsis supports numerous types of generic interventions:

  • thresholds on tree age, height, diameter
  • thinning diagram (cut in girth / diameter classes)
  • individual thinning
  • thinning with the mouse on a map
  • specific strategies like French ONF thinning...

Each model can also implements its specific intervention mechanisms depending on specific parameters.

Typical temporal scale of application

The temporal scale depends on the model: it can be short or long term simulation. The time is discretized in steps. The time step also depends on the model implementation.

The typical time step is one year but other possible time steps are: day, fortnight (2 weeks), month, 3 years. Some models may manage several years for several processes.

Types of decisions supported

It depends of the integrated model.

Decision-making processes and models

The main goals of the models in Capsis are to study various management scenarios to predict plantations growth / forests dynamics to assess production or viability issues.

Capsis can also host models for very different studies:

  • wind risk
  • trees / crops interaction (agroforestry)
  • tree canopy plasticity
  • evolution of biomass in many compartments
  • forest fires prevention
  • heterogeneous forests study...

Capsis can help elaborate scenarios to reach specific management objectives.

Capsis integrates optimization methods to help evaluate various management strategies. It can also be used to run sensitivity analyses on the model parameters.

Output

Types of outputs

  • stand level table and graphical outputs showing the temporal changes
  • stand level 2D viewer
  • stand level 3D viewer
  • many file exports with specific formats (plugins with new formats can be added when needed) to connect with data analysis tools or other downstream simulators

Spatial analysis capabilities

Facilitates links to Geographical Information Systems with geotools java library

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

Capsis models can be coupled to other models or frameworks to address interdisciplinary issues. Capsis can also be used as an external model or library. For instance, a Capsis-hosted model can be used in the OpenAlea [1] framework. Some Capsis models also link to agronomical models (STICS), architectural models (AMAPsim), biomechanical models (FOREOLE) or radiative balance (ARCHIMED, SLIM)...

System

System requirements

  • Operating Systems: Linux / Windows / Mac Os X
  • Other software needed : Java 1.6

Architecture and major DSS components

Desktop application

Usage

Research level use / knowledge transfert to expert level users

Computational limitations

System memory limitation

User interface

Capsis provides :

  • an interactive graphical user interface
  • a script mode (without gui) based on java or groovy

Documentation and support

See the Capsis web site [2] : capsis web site

Installation

A free and open source version is available on the web, it contains only few free models for evaluation: http://capsis.cirad.fr/capsis/download

References

Cited references

  1. [1]
  2. capsis web site

External resources

  • de Coligny F., 2007. Efficient Building of Forestry Modelling Software with the Capsis Methodology. In: Fourcaud T, Zhang XP, eds. Plant Growth Modeling and Applications. Proceedings of PMA06. Los Alamitos, California: IEEE Computer Society, pp. 216-222.