openModeller - An open, collaborative environmental niche modelling toolkit
Tim Sutton (BDWorld), Mauro Muñoz (Cria), Ricardo Pereira Scachetti (University of Kansas), Peter Brewer (BDWorld), Renato De Giovanni (Cria), Neil Caithness (BDWorld)A number of software tools and algorithms exist for modelling species' environmental niche preferences. A collaborative project between Cria (Brazil), the University of Kansas (USA) and BDWorld (UK) aims to provide an extensible, open environment for environmental niche modelling. Available under the GNU Public License (GPL), this cross-platform software aims to institute a paradigm shift in the way that niche modelling software is made available to a distributed user base. Using the plugin architecture, a number of algorithms have been implemented including Genetic Algorithm Ruleset Production (GARP), Climate Space Model (CSM), bioclimatic envelope model and others. Deployment options for openModeller include user friendly standalone desktop GUI's, invocation via a scripting environment such as python or java; web services; and as a Grid resource. openModeller is being used within the BiodiversityWorld and SEEK projects.
In this talk the design principles and motivation behind the openModeller project will be discussed. We include examples of openModeller usage within the BDWorld virtual laboratory, and as a standalone user friendly GUI application.