Introduction to cdmetapopR
cdmetapopR is an R package that provides an interface for running CDMetaPOP simulations and analyzing their outputs. This package offers two main approaches for building the input files needed to run CDMetaPOP simulations.
Two Approaches for Building Input Files
When using cdmetapopR, you have two options for creating the input files required for CDMetaPOP simulations:
1. Shiny Apps (Recommended for New Users)
The Shiny apps provide an interactive, user-friendly interface for building input files. This approach is ideal if you:
- Are new to CDMetaPOP or R programming
- Prefer a visual, guided interface
- Want step-by-step assistance with parameter selection
- Need help understanding what each parameter does
The Shiny apps offer more guidance and built-in explanations, making it easier to get started and ensure your input files are correctly formatted.
2. Wrapper Functions (For R Users)
The wrapper functions allow you to create input files programmatically using R code. This approach is ideal if you:
- Are comfortable with R programming
- Need to create multiple simulation scenarios programmatically
- Want to integrate input file creation into automated workflows
- Prefer working with code rather than a graphical interface
The wrapper functions give you more flexibility and control, allowing you to parameterize and automate input file generation.
Which Approach Should You Choose?
Choose Shiny Apps if: - You’re just getting started with CDMetaPOP - You want guidance on parameter selection - You prefer a visual interface - You need to build a single simulation setup
Choose Wrapper Functions if: - You’re experienced with R - You need to create many similar simulation setups - You want to automate the process - You need programmatic control over parameters
Next Steps
After creating your input files using either approach, you’ll need to:
- Run the CDMetaPOP simulation
- Analyze the outputs
Learn about analyzing CDMetaPOP outputs with cdmetapopR:
Additional Resources
For more detailed instructions, you can refer to the:
- CDMetaPOP User Manual
- Publications - See research papers featuring CDMetaPOP
- cdmetapopR GitHub Repository
- Computational Ecology Lab Website