Integrated coastal water monitoring

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are important took for environmental monitoring and management. However, their limitations in dealing with complex, dynamic, and mission‐critical situations call for alternative approaches. Integrating GIS with dynamic simulation models offers one such solution. Numerical models that simulate physical, chemical, and biological processes greatly increase our understanding of the environment. Many of these models use refined forecast information to accurately predict processes that help in monitoring and managing the environment. Integrating these models with GIS offers new functionalities. The present research couples the MIKE21 comprehensive modeling system for two‐dimensional free surface flows with the spatial analysis strengths of the ArcView GIS. The southern coastal water system of Singapore serves as the study area. The aim is to develop a comprehensive software system that provides support for both environmental managers and land‐use planners in making their decisions.