It is the pictures of these data that make the data useful to both scientists and non-technical decision makers. The ecologist must be able to communicate results to two distinctly different audiences. First, findings must be communicated to other scientists for review and discussion. This audience has the technical skills necessary to understanding complex data sets. The second audience is composed of ecological decision-makers.
Ecosystems are also spatial and temporal.
In addition to a large number of physical and biological factors, three dimensional space and time are critical elements that drive ecosystems . This web site is dedicated to the computer visualization of ecosystems in the marine environment. Its objective is to centralize, disseminate, and exchange information and ideas on techniques that can produce computer generated still and animated pictures of the marine environment that are based on real or simulated data. The computer visualization of the marine environment is a challenging task that has not yet been accomplished. While necessary technologies such as database development, GIS, and artificial life are available, the synergy of combining necessary technologies has not yet developed.