The model web: a concept for ecological forecasting

Ecological forecasting capabilities are constrained by the interoperability of ecological and related models, among other things. This limits the types of questions that can be practically addressed, as well as the range of users that can ask them. We are exploring the concept of an Ecological Model Web, an open-ended system of interoperable computer models and databases, with machine and end-user Internet access via web services. The 5–10 year vision includes a distributed network of interoperating models; that grows organically within a framework of broad goals and standards; with models and datasets maintained, operated, and served independently; and that provides interactive web access to researchers, managers, and the public. Increasing the level of interoperability of these models will increase their collective power and the breadth of questions they can answer.