We will develop SMART-SLEUTH, an advanced spatially explicit modeling framework designed to augment the current SLEUTH model with sophisticated smart-growth capabilities. Based on the latest version of SLEUTH, we will create an open-source GIS-enabled software package that will implement SMART-SLEUTH with advanced modules and tools for evaluating, predicting, and visualizing smart growth scenarios and outcomes. In this software package, a more user friendly Graphic User Interface (GUI), a multi-level automatic calibration approach built on machine learning algorithms, and new spatial landscape metrics for quantifying land change patterns will provide enhanced support for complex model configuration, calibration, and validation. We will apply SMART-SLEUTH to the entire SALCC region based on a set of carefully designed smart growth scenarios to analyze and understand the long-term impacts of these alternative futures on land development and conservation of natural and cultural resources. Final deliverables will include SMART-SLEUTH software, code, and documentation released in an open source framework to facilitate its dissemination and further development, and a cutting-edge Web GIS portal for sharing software, data, documentation, and publications.
