Peer Review #2

Geoprocessing tool to model beach erosion due to storms: application to Faro beach (Portugal)

 

By: Almeida, et. al

 

   This article introduces a geoprocessing tool, called GEOSTORM, which was created with the purpose of allowing users to run Kriebel and Dean’s storm erosion convolution model in ArcMap. This GIS application supports the preparation and conversion of the data produced by the model into a format usable in a GIS environment (i.e. shapefiles, etc). The application consists of two parts: Module 1, which is where the user inputs data related to their study area, and Module 2, the actual storm erosion model.

   The authors state that each module was designed with different programming languages (Python and Matlab), but do not explain the reasoning behind this. They do communicate through ArcObjects using VBA. I would like to have known if this is more or less efficient, or if it was the only way to get Kriebel and Dean’s model to run in ArcMap efficiently.

   Module 1 and 2 setup and directions are in need of more explanation. While their explanation is ok, it would not hurt to be more specific and detailed for each step the user needs to take to set up and go through the modules. The study scenario was a little unclear in some areas, and I felt like some aspects of the study could have been explained better for those outside of the discipline. Figure six is a good example and helped me better understand the results of the study.

   Overall, this application/tool sounds like it is useful and could help out coastal decision-makers prepare for incoming storms. However, the information concerning it is lacking and seems rushed out. I would like to have had more background information about the processes of each module, considering potential users would be most interested in how it works.

http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.uwf.edu/environmentalscience/docview/1675866765/abstract/9065FD92DC0B493DPQ/40?accountid=14787