DEBEcoMod
Growth, performance & reproduction
DEBEcoMod is an innovative open-source tool developed by the Ecology Laboratory at the University of Palermo. Based on the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory, DEBEcoMod enables predictions of marine organisms’ life-history traits, such as maximum length, weight, number of released eggs, etc., while taking into account environmental variables and anthropogenic stressors. This tool overcomes the computational limitations encountered in other cases, allowing detailed analyses on large spatial and temporal scales. DEBEcoMod can be applied in numerous contexts, including marine spatial planning, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, and marine ecosystem management.
How it works
DEBEcoMod has been developed in the R language and directly uses the parameters from the AddMyPet collection to simulate the performance of model organisms. Users can customize simulations by entering specific environmental data, such as sea surface temperature and food availability.
Among the main functionalities:
• Biological predictions: growth, maturation, reproduction, and survival of organisms;
• Spatial representations: intuitive maps that facilitate the interpretation of results for stakeholders and researchers;
• Diversified applications: assessment of growth performance in aquaculture, invasive species management, and the impact of climate change.
The code is optimized for large-scale simulations while ensuring precision and accessibility.
Link to publication
Learn more about DEBEcoMod and its potential applications by reading the scientific paper published in Ecological Informatics, where it was introduced: DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102897
Download the Tool
DEBEcoMod is freely available on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. We encourage you to explore, customize, and contribute to this tool to improve the management and conservation of marine ecosystems.
Below is a list of the species parameterized by the Ecology Laboratory, whose parameters are available in the AddMyPet collection:
| Nome scientifico | Nome comune | Autore/i |
|---|---|---|
| Aphanius fasciatus | Mediterranean killfish | Sarà G. |
| Brachidontes pharaoni | Rayed erythrean mussel | Sarà G. |
| Chromis chromis | Damselfish | Giacoletti, A.; Sarà G. |
| Eriphia verrucosa | Warty crab | Giacoletti, A.; Sarà G. |
| Mytilaster minimus | Dwarf mussel | Sarà G. |
| Mytilopsis sallei | Black-striped mussel | Giacoletti, A.; Sarà G. |
| Mytilus californianus | California mussel | Sarà G. |
| Mytilus galloprovincialis | Mediterranean mussel | Sarà G. |
| Perna canalicolus | New Zealand green-lipped mussel | Giacoletti, A.; Sarà G. |
| Perna perna | Brown mussel | Sarà G. |
| Septifer virgatus | Purple peacock clam | Sarà G. |