Using web services and scientific workflow for species distribution prediction modeling

Abstract

Species distribution prediction modeling plays a key role in biodiversity research. We propose to publish both species distribution data and modeling components as Web services and composite them into modeling systems using the scientific workflow approach. We build a prototype system using Kepler scientific workflow system and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. This study is the first step towards building a virtual e-science laboratory for ecologists to perform distributed and cooperative research on species distribution predictions. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.