Scientific and Technical Support for Joint Ecosystem Modeling

The concept of a Joint Ecosystem Modeling Laboratory (JEM) was conceived of by Drs. G. Ronnie Best, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Don D. DeAngelis as a potential mechanism for "Getting Models in the Hands of the Users". JEM has evolved since then as an informal partnership of DOI agencies, (USGS/FWS/NPS), Universities, and others supporting a variety of tasks for development of ecological models as well as integration with hydrologic models, development of decision support tools, and science communication through visualization tools and written documents. A part of that evolution was the development of a cooperative agreement with University of Florida to facilitate research and development of ecological models with the ultimate outcome of getting them in the hands of the users. Work was accomplished by University of Florida staff and via subcontracts to other Universities and organizations. A major benefit of this agreement was that it provided the base for leveraging resources to work with others to develop and test models. This site summarizes the work completed directly under a five year cooperative agreement between University of Florida and USGS. Additional activities have been undertaken by JEM since the original agreement. See http://jem.cr.usgs.gov/pages/home.aspx for more information on the ongoing projects.

Development of ecological models includes a range of steps including determining user needs, collecting ecological data, developing decision rules, developing model structure, implementation of decision rules in a technically robust manner, performing initial scenario evaluations and interpretation as part of the process of testing, calibrating, validating, verifying, and improving models, as well as developing visualization and decision analysis tools.

Major accomplishments of this project include:

  • Development or modifications to 14 ecological models with documentation.
  • Eight of the 14 models were reviewed and approved by the Interagency Modeling Center (IMC) and used in project planning in southwest Florida.
  • A prototype dataviewer was used successfully in the C-43 project planning process and evolved to the JEM dataviewer which has since been replaced by EverView.
  • Four Everglades Depth Estimation (EDEN) tools were developed to assist users in accessing EDEN data.
  • Six Across Trophic Level Spatial Simulation (ATLSS) Spatial Explicit Species Index (SESI) models were delivered to the IMC.
  • An ATLSS Topography/Hydrology Handbook was produced and delivered to DOI partners and the IMC.
  • Four refereed publications, 1 masters thesis, 1 PhD dissertation, 13 technical reports, six fact sheets, and 26 presentations were produced by core University of Florida staff.
  • Coordination occurred with a range of partners via workshops and meetings.
  • Administration of subcontracts to eight individuals resulted in numerous other reports and products.

Related Publications

Waddle, J.H., R.M. Dorazio, S.C. Walls, K.G. Rice, J. Beauchamp, M.J. Schuman and F.J. Mazzotti. 2010. A new parameterization for estimating co-occurrence of interacting species. Ecological Applications 20:1467-1475.

Barnes, T.K., A.K. Volety, K. Chartier, F.J. Mazzotti and L. Pearlstine. 2007. A habitat suitability index model for the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), a tool for restoration of the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida. Journal of Shellfish Research 26(4):949-959.

Barnes, T., F.J. Mazzotti, L.G. Pearlstine and A. Volety. 2006. Habitat evaluation in coastal southwest Florida: A policy decision model for the blue crab, Calinectes sapidus. Florida Scientist. 69(S2):140-151.

Barnes, T. K., and F.J. Mazzotti. 2005. Using conceptual models to select ecological indicators for monitoring, restoration, and management of estuarine ecosystems pages 493-501, in Bortone, S.A., (ed.). Estuarine Indicators. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

EDIS Publications

Mazzotti FJ, Pearlstine LG, Chamberlain RH, Hunt MJ, Barnes T, Chartier K, DeAngelis D. 2008. Stressor response model for tape grass (Vallisneria americana). CIR1524. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 22 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW281

Mazzotti FJ, Pearlstine LG, Barnes T, Bortone SA, Chartier K, Weinstein AM, DeAngelis D. 2008. Stressor response model for the spotted sea trout, Cynoscion nebulosus. CIR1523. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 16 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW280

Mazzotti, F.J. and J.J. Vinci. 2007. Validation, Verification, and Calibration: Using Standardized Terminology When Describing Ecological Models. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 2 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW256

Pearlstine L, D.L DeAngelis, F.J. Mazzotti, T. Barnes, M. Duever, J. Starnes, and M.D. Conill. 2006. Sistemas de soporte de decisión espacial para evaluaciones ecológicas de paisaje en el Estudio de Viabilidad del Suroeste de la Florida. [Spatial decision support systems for landscape ecological evaluations in the Southwest Florida Feasibility Study.] CIR1479S. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 6 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW237

Pearlstine, L.G., D.L. DeAngelis, F.J. Mazzotti, T. Barnes, M. Duever, and J. Starnes. 2005. Spatial Decision Support Systems for Landscape Ecological Evaluations in Southwest Florida Feasibility Study. CIR1479. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 6 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW235

Validation, Verification, and Calibration: Using Standardized Terminology When Describing Ecological Models, WEC216/UW256

Graduate Student Theses

Barnes, T.K. 2006. An integrated approach for evaluation and assessment of ecosystem management and restoration. [Doctoral dissertation] Davie, FL: Nova Southeastern University. 160 p.

Fling, H.E. 2006. Barriers to science communication and collaboration in large-scale ecosystem restorations: case study of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP). [Masters thesis]. Durham, NC: Duke University. 57 p.