Xplorah, A multi-scale integrated land use model

Processes of land use change and their drivers take place at different spatial and temporal scales. The fact that these processes are very often interacting with each other throughout these scales provides major challenges to modellers. Xplorah is a tailor made Spatial Decision Support System for the three major islands of Puerto Rico. It aims to assess the impact of different scenarios on the development of the island. The system encompasses an integrated set of dynamically linked models working at different scales and incorporating knowledge from numerous disciplines. This paper describes the integrated model as well as its individual components. It focuses on the integration between the socioeconomic and bio-physical processes and models, and discusses how the system can be used to assess the impact of different policies relevant to and defined by the user of the system, Puerto Rico’s Planning Board.