Using Flexible Time Scale to Explore the Validity of Agent-based Models of Ecosystem Dynamics: Application to Simulation of a Wild Rodent Population in a Changing Agricultural Landscape

Jean Le Fur, Moussa Sall

2018

Abstract

Identifying parameters value is a major issue in model engineering. In discrete time agent-based models, time step is an important one as it determines the frequency at which agents realize their activity step. This parameter is commonly defined as a fixed constant during the model design stage. In particular cases, this may lead to biases as it may be sometimes difficult to determine if agents efficiently realize their activity step once each 1, 2 seconds, hour or the like. A simulation model of a rodent population has been used to study the effect of using a flexible time scale on its outcomes. Three types of processes have been considered as time dependent in the model, environment sensing, movement and life cycle (maturity, gestation...). A time step sensitivity analysis constitutes the principal result of this study. For the widest range of time step values, model’s behaviour is unrealistic and bound to algorithms artefacts. A very small range of time steps leads to simulation of a perennial rodents’ population. Biases bound to variable time step implementation are discussed. Using flexible time scale approach proved efficient to get insight into the model’s behaviour and fruitful clues to assess agents’ processes frequency in the actual ecosystem.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Fur J. and Sall M. (2018). Using Flexible Time Scale to Explore the Validity of Agent-based Models of Ecosystem Dynamics: Application to Simulation of a Wild Rodent Population in a Changing Agricultural Landscape.In Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH, ISBN 978-989-758-323-0, pages 297-304. DOI: 10.5220/0006912702970304

in Bibtex Style

@conference{simultech18,
author={Jean Le Fur and Moussa Sall},
title={Using Flexible Time Scale to Explore the Validity of Agent-based Models of Ecosystem Dynamics: Application to Simulation of a Wild Rodent Population in a Changing Agricultural Landscape},
booktitle={Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH,},
year={2018},
pages={297-304},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0006912702970304},
isbn={978-989-758-323-0},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH,
TI - Using Flexible Time Scale to Explore the Validity of Agent-based Models of Ecosystem Dynamics: Application to Simulation of a Wild Rodent Population in a Changing Agricultural Landscape
SN - 978-989-758-323-0
AU - Fur J.
AU - Sall M.
PY - 2018
SP - 297
EP - 304
DO - 10.5220/0006912702970304