Design and demonstration of a data model to integrate agent-based and field-based modelling. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Bakker, Merijn P.; de Jong, Kor; Schmitz, Oliver; Karssenberg, Derek
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 89(2017)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Agent-based modelling -- Field-based modelling -- Integrated modelling -- Data model -- Map algebra -- Modelling language; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.11.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: Dynamic environmental modelling of spatio-temporal systems often requires the representation of both fields and agents. Fields are continuous with values in the whole spatio-temporal domain of a model, while agents are bounded in space and often mobile. It is currently difficult for environmental modellers with limited software engineering background to construct such field-agent models, as modelling frameworks mostly do not support the integration of fields and agents. To overcome this issue, we describe a data model combining fields and agents in a single concept. This data model represents fields, agents and relations by grouping items sharing properties into a phenomenon. The concepts domain, property set and value handle spatio-temporal attribute representations. The data model is implemented in a software prototype that shows how data on fields and agents is stored and manipulated.