[GRASS5] CA model of invasive insect spread

[Joel Peter William Pitt]

Hi all,

I'm starting a PhD modelling the spread of invasive organisms based 
on GIS data. I'm currently trying to decide how exactly to go about it. 
So far I've decided cellular automata will be my simulation model, but 
I've yet to decide on the GIS interface.

I have several options, since I also have some funding backing me:

1. ArcGIS accessed through their ArcObjects API. I already have 
access to ArcGIS within the university campus. Windows only.

2. Matlab spatial data analysis toolkit and imaging toolkit. These are 
both expensive, but have good support and I already have a Matlab 
license. Also this is both Linux and Windows.

3. PCRaster looked like it could be used.

4. And last but certauinly not least, GRASS! I have only just come 
across it, and looks to be pretty good.

I was just wondering if any body could give me suggestions, or their 
opinions on the other packages in comparison to GRASS. I've 
searched the mail archives to discover that r.ros (wildfire spread) is 
meant to be CA based, but have yet to look at it. Also has anyone
thought of implementing GeoAlgebra for GRASS? It is an extension of 
MapAlgebra and is extremely useful for CA operations. I might be able 
to contribute to GRASS by implementing it if I end up using GRASS as 
a platform.

Cheers,
Joel