RHABSIM 2.2 Habitat Simulation

RHABSIM Habitat Simulation Screen Shots

HABSIM is the Habitat Modeling and Weighted Usable Area (WUA) prediction module of RHABSIM. After preparing cross-section data in FIELDAT, calibrating WSL's and Velocity data to a hydraulic model in HYDSIM and preparing Criteria (suitability) Curve data in CRITERIA, HABSIM will calculate Weighted Usable Area.

Each Production Run in HABSIM can be saved as a "Job File". Results and reports have the same default name as the Job File name, allowing easy access to sets of reports. One set of data may be run a number of times with slightly different parameters. Results can then be compared and overlayed on graphs.

The screen below is the HABSIM main screen. Note that a hydraulic data file is loaded (DEMO1.RHB), a criteria curve file is loaded (DEMOCRV.RCV) and a Job File has been set up (DEMO1.RJB).

Before a production run, the user can select one or more Criteria Curves to process. RHABSIM will automatically check for available data and report discrepancies between data completeness and Attribute names in the hydraulic and criteria curve files.

The screen below shows the Choose Curve Sets and Variables worksheet. The following messages may appear in a Variable's field: "YES" means the variable is used, "NO" means variable is not used, "n/a" means no Criteria Curve data is available for the variable, "xxx" means Curve Set Attribute Name does not match either RHB data file Attribute Name. If you choose to use an Attribute but HABSIM cannot automatically assign it to one of the hydraulic data file Attributes (both names are the same or neither name exists), "Yes?" will appear and you can manually assign the Curve Set Attribute to one of the hydraulic file Attributes in the "Assign Attributes" routine.

RHABSIM allows full control over the methods and parameters used in production runs. The following screen is part of this setup procedure.

Combined Suitability Factor Methods. Users can select one of four: Standard (average), Geometric Mean, Lowest Limit (set to lowest suitability) or a Weighted Average (multipliers for each of the active Variables.)

Zero Attribute Option: In some Criteria Curve data sets a zero Attribute value is actually a "missing value" rather than a true zero. RHABSIM allows either method.

CELL POSITION METHOD: By default, HABSIM calculates values for cells by centering the cell over each cross-section x-coordinate vertical. If you wish, you may use the method of offsetting the cell to the right of the vertical.

Feeding Station: With cross-section data sets that have large differences for velocity in adjacent cells ("high shear") or with Curve Sets for species that "migrate" between fast and slow velocity cells, you may wish HABSIM to search nearby cells within a Scan Distance for a Velocity Limiter (VLIM). If the VLIM is found then the CSF for the cell remains at its original value to indicate that the suitability is ok because a "good" velocity suitability was found in adjacent cells.

In the Feeding Station worksheet you can enter Scan Distances, Velocity Limits and Initial Velocities, plus choose a Scan Method and Velocity Limit Method. The screen below shows the Fedding Station worksheet...

Velocity Limit Method: The screen below shows the options for the Velocity Limit Method...

RHABSIM can prepare three types of Weighted Usable Area results reports; 1) a Standard summary table, 2) a Cross-section tables summary, and 3) a Cell Details report.

The screen below shows the results for a single Criteria Curve after a production run...

The following screen shows a portion of the Cross-section table summary report. Note that each Criteria Curve and Simulation Flow is separately reported at each cross-section...

A major benefit of RHABSIM is the feature-rich graphs available. The following is the HABSIM WUA by Discharge graph. The user can select whether to show a WUA or as a percentage of total, and optionally show Gross Area.

In the RHABSIM for Windows module, the user can prepare the same graphs, only with much greater control over design, capturing (exporting) and printing. Fonts and scaling are fully controllable and graphs can even be printed to a color printer.

The Plan-view graph shows the entire reach (or a portion), allowing the user to get an "aerial" view of the reach. The graph is fully configurable to show single or all (combined) variables, the whole width or only the wetted portion, cell outline control and even the color scheme...

Here is the same graph as above only with the bright primary colors option turned on...

And here is the Plan-view graph in the RHABSIM for Windows module. Feature-rich, as usual, and with full ability to print in color, or black and white, or gray shades!

Another powerful graph in RHABSIM is the Weighted Usable Area by Cross-section graph. Here, the user can see cell details of suitability, along with the bottom profile and velocity and Attribute data, all on one graph! Note the rich information and number of available options...

The same graph in the RHABSIM for Windows module. Remember that all the presentation graphs from the various RHABSIM modules (FIELDAT, HYDSIM and HABSIM) are available in one Windows program with full control over fonts, scaling and colors. RHAB4WIN graphs can even be captured to the clipboard and imported directly into your word processing program!

Lastly, different production runs can be saved and then compared. The Overlay graph below shows two production runs (DEMO1 and DEMO2) with slightly different run parameters (comparing using Centered Cells with Offset Cells.)

Thank you for visiting RHABSIM's Habitat Simulation Screenshot Page.

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