A decision support system usually consists of a set of models,
a graphical user interface and a database where required, as well as a number of
additional tools. In this connection integrated models are being used in
more and more cases. They are supposed to help us assess the impacts of human activity.
The integrative approach enables planners, investors, politicians and others, to
propose a common framework for their different demands.
Integrated modeling
The term integrated modeling describes two things: On the one hand, it means the coupling of
models from different scientific disciplines - a biological, a chemical and a physical model
combined make an integrated model. On the other hand, models are called integrated, if they
include not only natural sciences but also economics and social sciences.
IMPULSE will focus its theoratical activity on transforming existing models.
For the decision support system we will choose models that are already accepted
and meet the criterion of completeness. The greatest challenge will be to rebuilt
the models, that they can be used in a decision support system.
IMPULSE will aggregate the following types of models:
» hydrodynamic model,
» ecosystem model (North Sea/water column),
» diagenetic sediment model,
» agent-based model (intervention),
» economic optimization model,
» multi-criterial evaluation algorithm for spatial planning alternatives.
The complexity of hydrodynamic models is due to the resolution of spatially variable
boundary conditions; large ecosystem models are complicated because they consist of a
set of coupled differential equations: Depending on the type of model, the integration with
other models, and the type of implementation different aggregation procedures need to be
applied. The best aggregation procedure will be chosen by comparing the results with the
original model.
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