On Thu, 29 Jul 2010, Rich Shepard wrote:
I've not found a module or integrated tool to model aquatic (primarily fish) habitats by stream/river or drainage basin. I've looked at the Wiki and searched fairly extensively with Google and have not found anything useful ... that runs on linux or the *BSDs.
Stephen/Brent: I've found nothing but a couple of references to simple models running on ESRI's software and comments on the short-comings of the standard (at least here in the US) IFIM/PHABSIM[1] models. There is an interesting report of aquatic habitats from the perspective of adult walleye in Lake Erie that demonstrated the lack of information and value when measurements are averaged, another report that where stream/river transects are placed (absolutely and relative to each other) influences the PHABSIM output of 'Weighted Usable Area,' and a third report that notes the disconnect between hydraulic and morphometric models and the complexities and heterogeneities of water chemistry and microhabitats that control where fish (and their food organisms) are found. The IFIM/PHABSIM suite were originally developed as research tools by the US Forest Service which makes them less than optimal for resource allocation and permitting decisions. The numeric (and rare spatial) models also do not cover the habitat needs of the complete life cycle of a species nor variations among co-habitating species in the same stream/river system or reach. What this all suggests to me is that from an applied viewpoint (that is, providing technical informations for well-informed policy or regulatory decisions) there is nothing readily available. I know the approach that I would take, and I might just develop a model that is more practical and appropriate if I have the time. No one's going to fund my efforts so it may be quite a while until something is ready for use. Rich [1] Instream Flow Incremental Methodology and Physical Habitat Simulation. The latter is a component of the former. _______________________________________________ grass-user mailing list [email protected] http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/grass-user
