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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Water Management and Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317655
Title: Integrating model behavior, optimization, and sensitivity/uncertainty analysis: overview and application of the MOUSE software toolbox

Author
item Ascough Ii, James
item LIGHTHART, NATHAN - Colorad0 State University
item FISCHER, CHRISTIAN - Friedrick-Schiller University
item KRALISCH, SVEN - Friedrick-Schiller University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2015
Publication Date: 6/22/2015
Citation: Ascough II, J.C., N. Lighthart, C. Fischer, and S. Kralisch. 2015. Integrating Model Behavior, Optimization, and Sensitivity/Uncertainty Analysis: Overview and Application of the MOUSE Software Toolbox. In: Maxwell, R., Hill, M., Zheng, C. and Tonkin, M. (Eds.), Proc. MODFLOW and More 2015: Modeling a Complex World, May 31-June 3, 2015, Integrated Groundwater Modeling Center, Boulder, Colorado. pp. 388-393.

Interpretive Summary: This paper provides an overview of the Model Optimization, Uncertainty, and SEnsitivity Analysis (MOUSE) software application, an open-source, Java-based toolbox of visual and numerical analysis components for the evaluation of environmental models. MOUSE helps the modeler understand underlying hypotheses and assumptions regarding model structure, identify and select behavioral model parameterizations, and evaluate model performance and uncertainties. MOUSE offers well-established local and global sensitivity analysis methods, single- and multi-objective optimization algorithms, and uses GLUE methodology to quantify model uncertainty. MOUSE has a robust GUI that: 1) allows the modeler to constrain objective functions for specific time periods or events (e.g., runoff peaks, low flow periods, or hydrograph recession periods); and 2) permits graphical visualization of the methods described above in addition to access and visualization of numerous tools contained in the Monte Carlo Analysis Toolbox (MCAT). Following a brief system overview, we present a basic application of MOUSE to the HyMod conceptual hydrologic model.

Technical Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the Model Optimization, Uncertainty, and SEnsitivity Analysis (MOUSE) software application, an open-source, Java-based toolbox of visual and numerical analysis components for the evaluation of environmental models. MOUSE is based on the OPTAS model calibration system developed for the Jena Adaptable Modeling System (JAMS) framework, is model-independent, and helps the modeler understand underlying hypotheses and assumptions regarding model structure, identify and select behavioral model parameterizations, and evaluate model performance and uncertainties. MOUSE offers well-established local and global sensitivity analysis methods, single- and multi-objective optimization algorithms, and uses GLUE methodology to quantify model uncertainty. MOUSE has a robust GUI that: 1) allows the modeler to constrain objective functions for specific time periods or events (e.g., runoff peaks, low flow periods, or hydrograph recession periods); and 2) permits graphical visualization of the methods described above in addition to access and visualization of numerous tools contained in the Monte Carlo Analysis Toolbox (MCAT) including dotty plots, identifiability plots, and Dynamic Identifiability Analysis (DYNIA). Following a brief system overview, we present a basic application of MOUSE to the HyMod conceptual hydrologic model.