Iteration 11

• Phase: Transition
• Dates: April 25 - May 13, 2005

Tasks to be Completed

Core Framework

• Utility module
  • Modify how relative file paths in an input file are interpreted. Currently they are interpreted relative to the directory where the model is running. However users intuitively assume that relative paths are interpreted relative to the directory containing the input file. Example: if a scenario file has the path "species.txt", users assume that this species input file is in the same directory where the scenario file is located. Currently, the model looks for the species input file in the directory where it's executing. [Medium priority]
• Ecoregions
  • Allow the use of 16-bit maps. [High priority]
• Main module
  • Add CellLength parameter to scenario file. This parameter value will be used if the ecoregions map is in a raster format that does not provide cell length as metadata. [High priority]
  • Add optional parameter to scenario file which allows user to specify a starting timestep other than 1 (e.g., the year 1990). [Low priority]
• Plug-ins module
  • Modify the interfaces to all types of plug-ins so that the initialization method includes the starting timestep. [Low priority]

Plug-in Components

• Succession library
  • Allow the use of 16-bit maps for initial communities. [High priority]
  • Modify the handling of the definitions of the initial communities so that ages listed for a particular species are binned into cohorts based on the succession timestep. For example, if a community has the ages 10, 15, 20, 30, and 35 for the species pinubank, and the succession timestep is 20 years, then the ages 10, 15 and 20 mean the cohort 1-20 is present, and the ages 30 and 35 mean the cohort 21-40 is present. [High priority]
• Max Species Age
  • Modify the plug-in so that it creates maps with the maximum age among all species. The maps are created every output timestep, and use "all" for the species variable in the template for map names. [High priority]
  • Create a draft user guide. [High priority]
• Wind
  • Update the plug-in to work with the current interfaces in the core framework. [High priority]
  • Complete the chapter on the input parameter file in the plug-in's user guide started during the last iteration. [High priority]
• Age-only Succession
  • Create a draft user guide. [High priority]
  • Add new parameter to initialization file that allows user to select the seeding algorithm: no dispersal, universal dispersal, Ward seed dispersal. [Medium priority]

Documentation

• User Guide
  • Expand the current draft of the document, filling in enough chapters so it is adequate for beta testers. (Rob) [High priority]

Deployment

• Beta 1 Release
  • Bundle all the necessary components into an installer program. Components include core framework, console interface, plug-ins (age-only succession, max species age, wind), various documentation files, and sample input files. [High priority]

Web Site

• Add a page that describes the project's priorities and relative timeline for various components (core, plug-ins, GUI). Sort of a "roadmap". (Rob)

Assessment

Summary

Iteration 11 was devoted to producing the beta-release. Although we were ultimately successful, we found it necessary to trim some features. This will also be true for the final release. We regret having to postpone some minor features to future versions (see below); however, we have ascertained that it is more important to meet our deadlines. In particular, we realized the need to finish v1.0 so that work can begin on the necessary extensions for the LANDFIRE project. Likewise, the timely release of the beta version will be tangible evidence of progress for people attending meetings over the summer.

Hits and Misses

Big Hit The beta release was finished and sent out to three beta-users. The beta release includes the core, age-only succession, base wind, and a maximum-age output extension.

Hit Modified the handling of the definitions of the initial communities so that ages are binned into cohorts based on the succession timestep.

Hit Modified the Maximum-age output extension so that it creates maps with the maximum age among all species.

Miss Add new parameter to initialization file that allows user to select the seeding algorithm.

Hit 16-bit maps are now accepted for Ecoregion maps.

Miss InitialCommunities were not modified to allow 16-bit maps.

Hit Add CellLength parameter to scenario file.

Big Hit All of the necessary User's manuals for the beta release were finished and posted on the web site. The Landis-II Model Description was also completed and posted.

Postponed Features These features have been postponed for future versions, and so will not be included in either the beta or final release.

Miss Utility module will recognize relative paths. Although this would have allowed for greater flexibility when using the command line, it is not necessary.

Miss Allow User's to select alternative starting year. This feature was purely a bells-and-whistles option.