Current Scope, Case Studies and Future Directions of Ecological Informatics

Abstract

Ecological data management, analysis and synthesis as well as information processing and transfer in ecology are considered feature areas of ecological informatics. The paper presents case studies for analysis and synthesis of ecological data by means of unsupervised artificial neural networks and hybrid evolutionary algorithms to assist in computational bioindication of wetland water quality and early warning of cyanobacteria blooms in lakes and reservoirs. Integrated analysis and synthesis of ecological and genomics data, hybrid model libraries generic for ecosystem categories as well as internet-based data and model sharing are identified as key research areas of ecological informatics.

Keywords: ecological informatics, unsupervised artificial neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, sensitivity analysis, computational bioindication, benthic diatoms, macroinvertebrates, early warning, cyanobacteria blooms