ensure clear structure for users of allo-db to modify allometric equation choices

[teixeirak]

It will be important to work out a clear mechanism for advanced users of allo-db to modify choices of allometric equations. This could be done permanently, with approval of allo-db managers, through alteration of the master sites-species table (e.g., if a site PI identifies a more appropriate equation). However, I'm not sure we have a mechanism for temporary modification (e.g., if someone wants to compare results of using different equations). @maurolepore, can you please find a way to make this possible through the code?

[maurolepore]

I'm not sure we have a mechanism for temporary modification (e.g., if someone wants to compare results of using different equations). @maurolepore, can you please find a way to make this possible through the code?

I'll keep this in mind. For every decision the code does we can let users overwrite the default. Stuart and I touched on this topic yesterday. He wanted to know more about where the Wood Density Data was coming from and how a user could change that. Using that as an example, the code could use whatever table allodb provides, but allow the user to use a custom table instead.

[maurolepore]

It will be important to work out a clear mechanism for advanced users of allo-db to modify choices of allometric equations. This could be done permanently, with approval of allo-db managers, through alteration of the master sites-species table (e.g., if a site PI identifies a more appropriate equation).

Users can now choose a focused issue to propose a more appropriate equation at https://github.com/forestgeo/allodb/issues/new/choose

This issue will be automatically assigned to @gonzalezeb and @teixeirak, and will be labeled as 'enhancement'. You can edit/create template at https://github.com/forestgeo/allodb/issues/templates/edit

[teixeirak]

Thanks for setting this up! I'll let @gonzalezeb set up the template-- should be simple, but we need to make sure it includes all the necessary info to populate the table.

[maurolepore]

I'm not sure we have a mechanism for temporary modification (e.g., if someone wants to compare results of using different equations). @maurolepore, can you please find a way to make this possible through the code?

allo_find() gains the argument custom_eqn. Defaults to using default equations (i.e. custom_eqn = NULL).

• Most visible example
• Help file
• Planned enhancement

[gonzalezeb]

This idea is somehow covered by the new_equations function.