[R-sig-Geo] Interpolating and mapping the output of ecosystem models with R

[Luigi Ponti]

Dear R-sig-Geo Mailing List,

I would like to ask some advice on using R to map the output of 
weather-driven population models for ecosystem analysis.

Our group is considering R as a way to map the georeferenced output of 
the ecosystem models developed in our lab. In short, once meteorological 
data (i.e., model input) and geographic data are acquired for a 
particular landscape, an ecosystem model is run for each weather station 
location of interest. Therefore, the output of the model consists of a 
summary table combining the point locations of the weather stations with 
the output value of interest.

In order for this output to be mapped, an interpolation process is 
needed to retrieve the spatial distribution of the values estimated by 
the ecological model across the landscape. Another critical point is the 
ability to 'clip' and eliminate areas which are not of interest to the 
study, such as elevation which is too high, or other tracts of land or 
water which are not of interest to the study.

Would R be able to interpolate such spatial distribution and also 'clip' 
the out-of-interest areas? I am an R beginner, but looking at the R 
website it seems that such capabilities are already in place in R. 
Starting from the summary output table mentioned above, what is the 
amount of work needed to implement such functionalities? Any hint is 
appreciated.

Kind regards,

Luigi Ponti
Visiting Scholar
University of California, Berkeley
Environmental Science, Policy & Management
lponti at nature.berkeley.edu