An Internet-Based Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS)

Transcription

1 An Internet-Based Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS) Third Quarter Report 4/1/1999 6/30/1999 Prepared for Missouri Department of Natural Resources Missouri Department of Conservation Submitted by Yan Z. Barnett Center for Agricultural, Resource and Environmental Systems College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources University of Missouri - Columbia June 30, 1999

2 1. Project Objectives and Tasks The goal of this research project is to develop a user friendly Internet-based decision support system (DSS) that addresses total resource management by integrating ecological and economic models with a geographic information system (GIS). Specifically, research is proposed to develop and implement an integrated resource management system (IRMS). This DSS is designed to assist natural resource-based agencies in developing management plans. For example, IRMS will be used by MDNR Soil and Water Conservation Program to prioritize Special Land Area Treatment Agricultural Non-Point Source (SALT-AGNPS) projects. IRMS will also be used as screening tool for identifying costs and benefits of potential SALT-AGNPS projects. Specific objectives of the proposed project are as follows: 1. Develop an Internet-based Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS) that addresses changes in land use and/or its management practices by integrating economic and environmental simulation models. 2. Develop feedback loops with IRMS end users and conduct three workshops for selected agency field staff. 2. Research Approach IRMS will have three components: an Internet-based geographic information system (GIS) building upon ArcView Internet Map Server, a graphical user interface (GUI), and a modeling system. The GUI includes the menus that allow a user to select parameters and evaluation criteria needed to run IRMS. It will be developed using Java, JavaScript, HTML Form components and ArcView Avenue programming languages. The interface enables the decision maker to manipulate land use/management practices, execute the models, and view results within the GIS. The GIS layers to be incorporated in IRMS include: soils, land use, digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQs), hypsography, and hydrography. Depending on the data needs of the models, other layers may also be digitized with IRMS. Digitization of these layers should require a modest effort given scanning technologies, object character recognition software and other software algorithms. Although some of these layers do not currently exist statewide, the intent of this research is to have the appropriate tools in place before the layers do become available. The modeling system includes the Cost and Return Estimator (CARE) model and four habitat models. CARE is a crop budget generator which can be used with individual stockholders in conservation planning or as a tool for economic evaluation in watershed planning. The first habitat model has been developed by Wes Burger, Mississippi State University (see Habitat Model to Predict Landscape Use 1

3 of Northern Bobwhite in Missouri). Subsequent models will be incorporated onto the tool as they are developed by Burger and others. The purpose of integrating the habitat models is to streamline and automate the process of constructing habitat suitability surfaces for large-scale habitat assessment. 3. Work Schedule IRMS is a three-year project extending from October 1, 1998 to September 28, The table below lists the proposed timelines for IRMS: Tasks Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Consult with agencies on assigning field staff to project and establish formal X feedback loops Develop prototype IRMS by integrating CARE model X X X X X Develop prototype of habitat models (CARE still under X X X X development) Complete integration of CARE model X Complete integration of habitat models X Activate feedback loops X X X X X X X X X X Conduct workshops X X X Prepare quarterly reports to funding agencies, collaborators and specified X X X X X X X X X X X X field staff Meeting with funding agencies, collaborators, model developers and field X X X staff regarding direction of project Prepare on-line users manual X X X Prepare final report/distribute final version of IRMS X 4. Quarterly Progress ProCosts Model The main task in this quarter was to continue working on the integration of ProCosts model with IRMS. 2

4 ProCosts model was developed by NRCS. To establish a good collaboration relationship with NRCS on incorporating the ProCosts model into IRMS, Chris Fulcher traveled to Washington D.C. on April 8-9, 1999 to meet with Kevin Boyle and Jerry Namken. Both Kevin and Jerry expressed great interest in working with CARES on taking ProCosts model on-line. On April 21st, the follow-up discussion on technical details was conducted between Kevin Boyle, Chris Fulcher and Yan Barnett through a conference call. Kevin explained the Distributed Application Design used in development of ProCosts model. To integrate ProCosts with IRMS most efficiently and scalably would be to implement the integration through the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) based technology. Kevin recommended several self-learning CD-ROMs and software tools on the approach: 1). Mastering Distributed Application Design, 2) Mastering Enterprise Development, 3). Mastering Web Application Development, and 4). Microsoft Software Developer s Universal Subscription. The above items were ordered through the University Bookstore for academic pricing. Unfortunately, the University Bookstore mis-processed the order and later lost it again. The order was not shipped until June 2 nd. Yan Barnett is currently going through the CD-ROMs to learn the Microsoft development architecture. She is expecting to complete the self-training series at the end of July. The Web version of ProCosts model is expected to release at the end of July or early August. Data Preparation In this quarter, all GIS data layers were converted from Datum NAD27 to NAD83. NAD83 is currently the most widely used Datum for North America data projection. The Arc/Info Project command was used for an accurate Datum conversion. More digital orthophotos (DOQs) were acquired from USGS or MSDIS. The available DOQs were added to Internet map server for public access. Figure 1 show the availability of DOQs through CARES Internet Map Server (http: // New Internet Mapping Tools Two new query tools were developed in this quarter for interactive Internet Mapping: (1). Radius Query tool : This tool lets the user query features within a radius. The user clicks on a location on the map. A popup menu opens up for the user to select a query theme and enter a radius in miles. If the query theme is a point theme, the 3

5 query results display the query area and location coordinates, and list all the unique feature names (or IDs) found within the radius (see Figure 2a,2b). If the query theme is a polygon theme, the query results display the query area and location coordinates, and list all the unique feature names and summary acres (see Figure 3). If the query theme is a line theme, the query results display the query area and location coordinates, and list all the unique feature names and summary feet (see Figure 4). (2). Polygon Query tool : This tool is similar to the Radius Query tool, except the user draws a polygon instead of clicking on a location and entering radius. The query results display the query polygon centroid coordinates in addition to feature listing. Figure 5 shows using the tool to query the SALT-AGNPS data layer. The query tools are available through the Interactive GIS & Mapping page on IRMS Web site ( or CARES Watershed Information Clearinghouse ( Graphic User Interface for Creating User Defined Landuse Data Layer on the Internet Land cover or land use data layer is one of the key data components for economic and environmental assessment at the watershed scale. For general watershed screening purpose, a state-wide land use layer will be provided for analysis in IRMS. The landuse layer is developed by Missouri Resources Assessment Partnership (MoRAP) using 30-m resolution satellite images. However, only limited number of land use classifications are available through this existing layer. Digital orthophotos (1-m resolution) provide an excellent data source for much more accurate and up-to-date land use delineation. A graphic user interface (GUI) is developed here to enable the user to create his own land use data layer on the Internet though CARES Internet Map Server. The user can then use the new data layer for watershed or farm level assessments or download the data layer to local computer. The following figures outline the steps to use the GUI. Figure 6. Click the "View / Edit GUI" button to switch from map viewing GUI to landuse edting GUI. This process causes the Internet Map Server to add a new data layer "User Defined Landuse" to the map. Figure 7. The Landuse Edit GUI. In addition to Pan, Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Identify tools, five graphic editing tools and one attributing tool are available: Add a rectangle field. Add a circle field. 4

6 Add irregular shaped polygon field. Append a new field to the existing field boundaries. Split a field into multiple fields. Select field(s) to enter or update field attributes, including field-id and landuse type. Figure 8. Adding a new field using DOQ as reference. A popup menu prompts the user to enter field-id and landuse type. The user can select from a list of landuse types or specify user-defined landuse type. The landuse list is based on NRCS Landuse Classificaiton Level-I scheme used in county landuse inventory. Figure 9. After a field is created or edited, the map shows the new data layer. The information on the right side of the map helps the user to download the data to local computer. The Landuse Edit GUI is currently still a prototype. It is developed using test data on a CARES IMS development Web server. Further refining is needed to enhance performance and ensure Web server security prior to actual release for public access. Ecological Models CARES staff will meet with Wes Burger in early July to discuss the implementation of the first ecological model into IRMS. The development of the second ecological model is nearly completed. It will also be discussed in the July meeting. 5

7 Figure 1. Digital Orthophoto Availables through CARES Internet Map Server 6

8 Figure 2a. Radius Query tool - Querying on PDW Wells within 10 miles radius 7

9 Figure 2b. Radius Query tool - Query results of PDW Wells within a 10-mile radius 8

10 Figure 3. Radius Query tool - Query results of SALT-AGNPS data layer within a 35-mile radius 9

11 Figure 4. Radius Query tool - Query results of Rivers and Streams data layer within a 15 miles radius 10

12 Figure 5. Polygon Query tool - Query results of SALT-AGNPS data layer within a userdefined polygon 11

13 Figure 6. Click the "View / Edit GUI" button to switch from map viewing GUI to landuse data edting GUI. 12

14 Figure 7. The Landuse Edit GUI. 13

15 Figure 8. Adding a new field using DOQ as reference. 14

16 Figure 9. After a field is created or edited, the map shows the new data layer. The information on the right side of the map helps the user to download the data to local computer. 15