title: An online database for informing ecological network models: http://kelpforest.ucsc.edu.
abstract: Ecological network models and analyses are recognized as valuable tools for understanding the dynamics and resiliency of ecosystems, and for informing ecosystem-based approaches to management. However, few databases exist that can provide the life history, demographic and species interaction information necessary to parameterize ecological network models. Faced with the difficulty of synthesizing the information required to construct models for kelp forest ecosystems along the West Coast of North America, we developed an online database (http://kelpforest.ucsc.edu/) to facilitate the collation and dissemination of such information. Many of the database's attributes are novel yet the structure is applicable and adaptable to other ecosystem modeling efforts. Information for each taxonomic unit includes stage-specific life history, demography, and body-size allometries. Species interactions include trophic, competitive, facilitative, and parasitic forms. Each data entry is temporally and spatially explicit. The online data entry interface allows researchers anywhere to contribute and access information. Quality control is facilitated by attributing each entry to unique contributor identities and source citations. The database has proven useful as an archive of species and ecosystem-specific information in the development of several ecological network models, for informing management actions, and for education purposes (e.g., undergraduate and graduate training). To facilitate adaptation of the database by other researches for other ecosystems, the code and technical details on how to customize this database and apply it to other ecosystems are freely available and located at the following link (https://github.com/kelpforest-cameo/databaseui).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beas-Luna
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America; Western Ecological Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Martin T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tinker
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: August
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Caselle
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoban
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iles
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D017753:Ecosystem; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009656:North America; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface