Process modelling and data systems

 

This is a multi-disciplinary programme led from Biometrics Division. It aims to integrate, develop and co-ordinate modelling initiatives, models and databases within Forest Research to improve forecasting of the response of forest systems to changes in the environment and in management practices.  To date a number of modules have been harmonised into an integrated modelling framework, including a weather generator, a soil water balance model, an integrated evapo-transpiration model, a photosynthesis-stomatal conductance model, a bud-burst model, a light and rainfall interception model and single tree growth model. A selection of modules have been used as the constituent components of two models, ForestFlux, a model simulating the carbon and water fluxes between the forest canopy and the atmosphere, and ForestGrowth, a process based model of tree growth accounting for site conditions. ForestGales, an existing model forecasting tree windthrow, has been integrated in modular form and in turn more refined weather data are used by ForestGales. These models operate across a range of scales from individual trees, through stand and to landscape levels. A data warehouse (FRED - the Forest Research Ecosystem Database), bringing together a range of numerical and meta-data collected by Forest Research on forest ecosystems, has also been developed. FRED is an ORACLE database front-ended by Microsoft Access held on a central server and accessed by PCs over the network. Prototype systems have been developed for interactive access of models and the database over the Forestry Commission Intranet. The programme of work is supervised by a steering group that includes staff from Forestry Commission and external experts from UK and European research institutes.

Outputs from the programme will be:

• website pages to enable access to a library of modelling routines and summary databases;
• peer reviewed papers to provide a sound scientific basis for model outputs and developments;
• strategy for identifying priority modelling modules, form of delivery and means for delivery to the Forestry Commission and other relevant organisations.
  

Commissioned reports

No reports available at this time