ForestGALES 2 represents a complete rewrite of the ForestGALES software. The new software is:
- More efficient
- More robust
- Allows easy integration with other modelling tools.
Integration with other modelling tools
The main part of ForestGALES (that does the calculations) has been constructed as a stand-alone dynamic link library (DLL). This means that all the functionality of ForestGALES is available from any other programme. The creation of a DLL has made it much easier for ForestGALES to be integrated with GIS software such as ArcView.
Wind Climate
The most important change to the calculation of risk is the change to the wind climate calculator. The calculation of the probability of a particular wind speed occurring at a site is based on the DAMS score. Additional analysis of wind climate data from Forest Research wind monitoring areas has suggested that the wind climate calculator was pessimistic. The differences are most pronounced at low DAMS scores but even at a DAMS value of 15 the new regression has the effect of reducing the DAMS score by two to an effective score of 13.
This is the only change in the calculation of risk. Critical wind speeds remain identical to ForestGALES 1.3 but the probability of these wind speeds occurring is reduced.
Appearance
The appearance of ForestGALES has been improved to provide a more consistent view and to provide for easier operation.
Defaults
There is now a Defaults button that can be used to store the current values as the default. Therefore, for example, if the current soil is a brown earth and the Defaults button is pressed then brown earth becomes the default soil used in ForestGALES. This is particularly useful if the user is consistently working with a particular combination of species, cultivation and soil types.
Batch Mode / Multiple stands mode
The Batch Mode operations have been substantially improved.
Entering data in Batch Mode now uses the same forms as for Single Stand data entry and there are three versions of Batch Mode matching the three methods of calculating risk:
- Predictions using field measurements
- Predictions using yield models
- Predictions through time.
It is now possible to use the yield tables to enter data or to calculate risk through time when in Batch Mode. In all cases input data and results can be stored in files for later use.
Export
There are improved export facilities in ForestGALES2 allowing results to be sent to Microsoft® Word as a Word format or rich-text file in the Single Stand mode and to Microsoft® Excel® in Batch Mode for display, storage and printing.
