Alberta Data Automation for Environmental Models (ADAEM) is being developed by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) with consulting services and FME expertise provided by Safe Software business partner, Martin Newby Consulting Ltd. (MNC). ADAEM is a GIS-enabled, web-based portal that integrates various FME workspaces with the Alberta Modelling Expert System (MES) of AEP in support of data needs for environmental modelling. ADAEM automates the process of extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) of spatial and non-spatial data sets to support various environmental models. ADAEM will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental modelling in support of integrated resource management in Alberta by deploying a FME solution. This system will eliminate duplication, repetitiveness, laborious, error-prone work related to data preparation. Above all, ADAEM will help maximize the value of modellers by better utilizing their time and expertise in developing model scenarios, analyzing data, and interpreting results rather than preparing data.

1. Alberta Data
Automation for
Environmental
Modelling (ADAEM)
Chiadih Chang, Ph.D., P.Eng., GISP
Modelling Integration Team Lead
Alberta Environment and Parks
&
William Tober
FME Developer/GIS Analyst
Martin Newby Consulting Ltd. (MNC)

2. PRESENTATION AGENDA
- Introduction
- Objective
- Approach
- Benefits & Lesson Learned
- Summary

3. Introduction

4. What is a Model?
Source: DHI
• Human construct to help
us better understand real
world systems.
• Substitute for a real
system.
• Represents some aspect
of a real system.

5. Why Does Modelling Matter?
● Answer “what-if” questions.
● Understand complexities of our world.
● Support development and evaluation of
science-based policies.
● Explore effective measures for environmental
management and risk mitigation.

6. Challenges in Data
Preparation for Modelling
● Compiling different datasets (including spatial
and temporal data) from various data sources
in different formats.
● Pre-processing of data into various formats to
input into environmental models.
● Post-processing of output data from a model
into various formats to input into other models.
● Time-consuming, labor-intensive, repetitive,
and error-prone if done manually.

7. Objective

8. Objective of ADAEM
● A GIS-enabled, web-
based portal.
● Integrating various FME
workspaces with the
Alberta Modelling Expert
System (MES) of AEP.
● Supporting data needs for
environmental modelling.
MES
Metadata Catalogue
of Modelling Tools
Metadata Catalogue of
Monitoring Stations
Repository of Completed
Modelling Projects
New!
Alberta Data Automation
for Environmental
Modelling (ADAEM)

9. Approach

10. Select a Model and
Specify a
Geographic Area
Supported Models:
• MIKE SHE
• WRMM
• MARXAN
• SCICHEM
• SWAT
Automation of
• Data Extraction
• Data Transformation
• Data Loading
Formatted
Model
READY
Data
Enterprise Spatial and
Non-Spatial Data
Systems (e.g., EDW,
WISKI, GENESIS, etc.)
Main Processes of ADAEM

11. Main Processes of ADAEM (cont’d)
Enterprise Spatial and Non-
Spatial Data Systems (e.g.,
EDW, WISKI, GENESIS,
ArcGIS Online, etc.)
FME Workspace for Model #1
(e.g., MIKE SHE)
Run Model #1
(e.g., MIKE SHE)
FME Workspace for Model #2
(e.g., WRMM)
Run Model #2
(e.g., WRMM)
MES
FME Workspace for Model #X Run Model #X

12. System Diagram of ADAEM

13. Maintainability
Parameter driven web code.
No website code changes
required to bring additional
models online.

14. Large Dataset Performance
Leverage SQL where clause
when reading large datasets
Leverage Feature Reader
when reading large file based
repositories

15. Data Download Service
Customized Data Download
by using File Copy Writer to
bundle multiple outputs

16. Notification Service
User receives an Email (Success or Failure):

17. Benefits & Lessons Learned

18. Benefits of ADAEM
• Time and money saving for preparing
data input required by environmental
models.
• Eliminating duplicate, repetitive,
laborious, and error-prone manual work
related to preparing modelling input data.
• Promoting modelling data sharing and
consistency.

19. Lessons Learned
• Building in-house capacity is essential
for long-term tools sustainability.
• Engaging, communicating, and
building good working relationships
with Sector-based IM/T is important.
• Involving multidisciplinary teams is
critical.
• Forming collaborative partnerships is a
big gain, e.g., AER.

20. Summary

21. ADAEM Looks into the Future…
Integration
Collaboration
Innovation

22. ADAEM Makes a Difference!
without ADAEM versus with ADAEM
Stressful and frustrated staff due
to laborious, repetitive,
inconsistent, time-consuming, and
error-prone manual work related to
environmental modelling.
Happy and productive staff who are
making more meaningful
environmental modelling contributions
to support informed resource
management decisions in Alberta.

23. Questions?

24. THANK YOU!
Contact: Chiadih.Chang @ gov.ab.ca
780-427-0123