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Article
Invasionsoft: A Web-Enabled Tool for Invasive Species Colonization Predictions
Aquatic Invasions
  • Matthew W. Johnston, Nova Southeastern University
  • Samuel J. Purkis, Nova Southeastern University
ResearcherID
B-8552-2013
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-22-2012
Keywords
  • Invasive species,
  • Species distribution models,
  • Lionfish,
  • Cellular automata,
  • Caulerpa taxifolia,
  • Web portal,
  • Software
Abstract

Predicting and averting the spread of invasive species is a core focus of resource managers in all ecosystems. Patterns of invasion are difficult to forecast, compounded by a lack of user-friendly species distribution model (SDM) tools to help managers focus control efforts. This paper presents a web-based cellular automata hybrid modeling tool developed to study the invasion pattern of lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) in the western Atlantic and is a natural extension our previous lionfish study. Our goal is to make publically available this hybrid SDM tool and demonstrate both a test case (P. volitans/miles) and a use case (Caulerpa taxifolia). The software derived from the model, titled Invasionsoft, is unique in its ability to examine multiple default or user-defined parameters, their relation to invasion patterns, and is presented in a rich web browser-based GUI with integrated results viewer. The beta version is not species-specific and includes a default parameter set that is tailored to the marine habitat. Invasionsoft is provided as copyright protected freeware at http://www.invasionsoft.com.

DOI
10.3391/ai.2012.7.3.011
Comments

©2012 The Author(s). Journal compilation ©2012 REABIC

Citation Information
Matthew W. Johnston and Samuel J. Purkis. "Invasionsoft: A Web-Enabled Tool for Invasive Species Colonization Predictions" Aquatic Invasions Vol. 7 Iss. 3 (2012) p. 405 - 417 ISSN: 1798-6540
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/matthew-johnston/15/