An intelligent modeling framework to optimize the spatial layout of ocean moored buoy observing networks

This research is motivated by the practical requirements in the sustainable deployment of ocean moored buoy observing networks. Ocean moored buoys play an important role in the global marine environment monitoring. Ocean buoy station layout planning is a typical multiple-objective spatial optimization problem that aims to reduce the spatial correlation of buoy stations and improve their spatial monitoring efficiency. In this paper, we develop a multi-objective mathematical model for allocating ocean buoy stations (MOLMofOBS) based on Tobler’s first law of geography. A spatial neighborhood model based on a Voronoi diagram is built to represent the spatial proximity of distributed buoy stations and delimit the effective monitoring region of every station. Then, a heuristic method based on a multiple-objective particles swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is developed to calculate the MOLMofOBS via a dynamic inertia weight strategy. Meanwhile, a series of experiments is conducted to verify the efficiency of the proposed model and algorithms in solving single- and multiple-buoy station location problems. Finally, an interactive portal is developed in the Cyberinfrastructure environment to provide decision-making services for online real-time planning of the ocean buoy station locations. The work reported in this paper will provide spatial decision-making support for the sustainable development of ocean buoy observing networks.