Nalu — nalu.playground.akn.org.uk
URL: https://nalu.playground.akn.org.uk Type: Playground — Environmental / Scientific Tool Stack: Next.js
Overview
Nalu is a web-based predictive disease modelling platform for coral reefs. It enables marine scientists, reef conservation professionals, and researchers to model and predict the spread of coral diseases by inputting environmental and biological variables.
The tagline summarises its purpose:
"Predicted coral disease growth, handled."
Nalu takes in location data, environmental readings, and biological metrics, then runs a predictive analysis to forecast how coral disease may spread — helping researchers and conservationists plan interventions before disease takes hold.
Use Cases
- Marine biology research — model disease spread under different environmental conditions
- Reef conservation planning — identify at-risk areas before disease proliferates
- Climate impact studies — simulate how rising sea temperatures or changing salinity affect disease risk
- Academic analysis — compare model outputs using different predictive methodologies
Inputs & Data Variables
File Upload
- Users can upload existing datasets directly into the tool
Location
- A geographic location selector allows users to specify and edit the reef location being modelled
- Location data is used to contextualise environmental parameters
Date
- A date field sets the reference date for the model (e.g.
09/03/2025)
Environmental Variables
Users can select and input the following environmental metrics (via checkboxes for customisable inclusion):
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Sea surface or water column temperature |
| Salinity | Salt concentration of the water |
| Water Turbidity | Clarity of the water (affects photosynthesis and stress) |
| Water Current | Speed and direction of water movement |
| Sedimentation | Level of sediment deposition on the reef |
Biological Variables
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Coral Disease Species | The specific coral disease pathogen or disease type being modelled |
| Drupella Density | Population density of Drupella (corallivorous snails that stress coral) |
| Parrotfish Density | Density of parrotfish (which graze algae and influence reef health) |
| Butterflyfish Density | Density of butterflyfish (indicators of reef health) |
| Total Coral Cover | Percentage of the reef area covered by coral |
| Coral Density | Number of coral colonies per unit area |
Controls
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Variable checkboxes | Select which variables to include in the model run |
| Use New Model | Toggle to select between modelling methodologies |
| Generate | Run the predictive analysis with the current inputs |
Output
After clicking Generate, Nalu produces a prediction of coral disease spread based on the provided inputs. Outputs typically include:
- Predicted disease growth rate or spread area
- Risk assessment for the defined location and time period
- Visualisation or tabular summary of the model results
Technical Details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Framework | Next.js (React) |
| Data input | Manual form entry + file upload |
| Modelling | Predictive algorithm (selectable model versions) |
| Visualisation | Rendered in-browser |
Access
Nalu is publicly accessible at the URL above. No authentication is required. It is hosted under playground.akn.org.uk, indicating it is an experimental or research-phase tool maintained on a best-effort basis.
Notes
- Nalu is a playground project — it is in active development and functionality may change
- The tool is intended for scientific and educational use
- Model accuracy depends on the quality and completeness of input data provided