From integration to fusion: the challenges ahead

Abstract

The increasing complexity of numerical modelling systems in environmental sciences has led to the development of different supporting architectures. Integrated environmental modelling can be undertaken by building a 'super model' simulating many processes or by using a generic coupling framework to dynamically link distinct separate models during run-time. The application of systemic knowledge management to integrated environmental modelling indicates that we are at the onset of the norming stage, where gains will be made from consolidation in the range of standards and approaches that have proliferated in recent years. Consolidation is proposed in six topics: metadata for data and models; supporting information; Software-as-a-service; linking (or interface) technologies; diagnostic or reasoning tools; and the portrayal and understanding of integrated modelling. Consolidation in these topics will develop model fusion: the ability to link models, with easy access to information about the models, interface standards such as OpenMI and software tools to make integration easier. For this to happen, an open software architecture will be crucial, the use of open source software is likely to increase and a community must develop that values openness and the sharing of models and data as much as its publications and citation records.Gold Open Access: This article is published under the terms of the CC-BY 3.0 license.The past few decades have seen the inexorable rise of numerical modelling as a useful tool in hydro-environmental and geomorphological modelling. Models have become more and more detailed, representing more and more processes and, with increasing computer power, being solved using larger and larger geo-spatial structures. These models can be aimed at solving a single set of equations, but have often branched out to include a wider range of processes with the formation of modelling suites.Albeit a little belatedly, numerical modelling has followed mainstream information technology (IT) in the way that the code is structured and deployed. Programmers began by writing short, self-contained bespoke applications, consisting of sequential lines of procedural code in languages such as FORTRAN. The benefits of callable sub-routines or functions were then quickly realized as applications grew in complexity, leading to a desire for reuse and clean interfaces. Many legacy applications, and those developed by scientific programmers, are still this way today. Object-oriented languages took this trend to its logical conclusion where every code segment has its own attributes and interfaces, and componentdriven architectures have increased the scale of such implementations.Alternatively, a set of environmental phenomena can be simulated using a complex composition of linked models, each of which is considered as a component at this level. In this way the progression of numerical model code structure can be summarized as in Table 1, from sequential programs of procedural code on the left to compositions of linked m...

Introduction to integrated environmental modelling to solve real world problems: methods, vision and challenges

“…For example, a common theme in the experience of the British Geological Survey (Peach et al 2016) and the Environment Agency in the UK (Farrell et al 2016) is the requirement to be able to utilize and link existing models that have often required significant investment in resources to create, and so to establish methods of linking together and adapting existing modelling systems (Sutherland et al 2014). A key area of research highlighted by several authors is the building upon a well-developed data and information framework in which appropriate standards of data quality and semantic interoperability are maintained (Sutherland et al 2014;Laxton 2016). Whilst the resulting model is often more widely reported, the underlying data and information structure sometimes receives less attention in terms of organizational investment but forms the basis upon which successful integrated modelling is built.…”

“…The need for linking mechanisms that cross discipline, and also national, boundaries has been particularly highlighted by Moore & Hughes (2016) and Peach et al (2016). Sutherland et al (2014) review various approaches to hydraulic modelling and discuss the historical development of linked modelling, exploring the implications of fusion and emphasizing that the fusion of models involves not only linking them together, but also providing easier access to information about the models and software tools to facilitate the linking process. These authors also raise another very pertinent issue -the potential blurring between what is considered raw data and what constitutes a model.…”

“…These, for example, include protocols for linking models and software, and data standards to promote linked modelling. However, the development of research and user communities to take IEM forwards is also an important requirement, as highlighted by Sutherland et al (2014), who describe the development of the Fluid Earth network to facilitate the development of the Open MI protocol. Both Gober et al (2014) and Glynn (2015) further emphasized the importance of the community and human dimension in the development of IEM.…”

“…Further, Moore & Hughes (2016) point out there is an overall tendency for much of IEM technology to be developed within research organizations, and there is a requirement for an increasing adoption of such technologies for commercial applications, and this process will also require the increasing take-up of IEM by user communities Sutherland et al (2014) and Moore & Hughes (2016) also describe the development of the Open Model Interface (OpenMI) protocol to link existing models at run-time. Sutherland et al (2014) further describe the Fluid Earth network, which provides tools for running integrated modelling using OpenMI and also promotes the development of a user community.…”

“…Sutherland et al (2014) further describe the Fluid Earth network, which provides tools for running integrated modelling using OpenMI and also promotes the development of a user community.…”