From Landscapes to Waterscapes: A PSE for Landuse Change Analysis

We describe the design and implementation of L2W — a problem solving environment (PSE) for landuse change analysis. L2W organizes and unifies the diverse collection of software typically associated with ecosystem models (hydrological, economic, and biological). It provides a web-based interface for potential watershed managers and other users to explore meaningful alternative land development and management scenarios and view their hydrological, ecological, and economic impacts. A prototype implementation for the Upper Roanoke River Watershed in Southwest Virginia, USA is described.