Structural design for management and visualization of information for simulation models applied to a regional scale

A Modeling Applications System Integrative Framework (MASIF) was developed to facilitate regional-scale long-term simulations. MASIF links an array of existing visualization, analytical, and data management software to manage large volumes of model inputs and outputs as well as model execution to facilitate model development and analysis. Information from MASIF is shown in visual form, an approach that we believe is preferable for comprehending information contained in large datasets associated with models that simulate processes and patterns at regional scales. As an example, MASIF was used to manage and visualize daily simulations of maize growth, development, and yield from 1055 Midwestern locations in the United States. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.