Keywords
land use change, agent-based modelling, collaborative modeling
Start Date
1-7-2010 12:00 AM
Abstract
Agent-based land-use cover/change models (ABM/LUCC), which can be used for various types of complex human-environment interactions, recently have been gaining popularity. ABM/LUCC models combine a spatial representation of the landscape with key decision-makers (e.g. farmers and institutions) and an environment for interaction. There is inherent complexity in modeling human-environment interactions which need to be assessed at multiple spatial and time scales, and often multiple models are integrated; however, current methods of developing integrated models are often cumbersome and communicating design and results can be a great challenge and would be aided by a common framework in which different models can be compared to and collaborate with each other. Attempting to address these concerns is the MR POTATOHEAD framework, which encapsulates many of the principal elements generally used in ABM/LUCC models, providing a common medium for comparison and collaboration. The MPH would easily allow multiple models to share both data and functions so that each designer can concentrate on their area of expertise. This paper presents a Java-based implementation of the MR POTATOHEAD framework, giving a modeler a user-friendly environment in which to build a wide range of collaborative ABM/LUCC models. Through a web interface, the model can be designed with little or no coding, if desired; this would open up complex model building to researchers without any computational background. Alternatively, a model can be built in a language of choice, as long as the proper interface is provided to an MPH-compliant model; in a later phase the ability for models to be connected in real time, so that both models are running simultaneously feeding each other results, will be added. Based on Java, the framework can also be used directly and extended by experienced computational scientists.
MR POTATOHEAD Framework – A Software Tool for Collaborative Land-Use Change Modeling
Agent-based land-use cover/change models (ABM/LUCC), which can be used for various types of complex human-environment interactions, recently have been gaining popularity. ABM/LUCC models combine a spatial representation of the landscape with key decision-makers (e.g. farmers and institutions) and an environment for interaction. There is inherent complexity in modeling human-environment interactions which need to be assessed at multiple spatial and time scales, and often multiple models are integrated; however, current methods of developing integrated models are often cumbersome and communicating design and results can be a great challenge and would be aided by a common framework in which different models can be compared to and collaborate with each other. Attempting to address these concerns is the MR POTATOHEAD framework, which encapsulates many of the principal elements generally used in ABM/LUCC models, providing a common medium for comparison and collaboration. The MPH would easily allow multiple models to share both data and functions so that each designer can concentrate on their area of expertise. This paper presents a Java-based implementation of the MR POTATOHEAD framework, giving a modeler a user-friendly environment in which to build a wide range of collaborative ABM/LUCC models. Through a web interface, the model can be designed with little or no coding, if desired; this would open up complex model building to researchers without any computational background. Alternatively, a model can be built in a language of choice, as long as the proper interface is provided to an MPH-compliant model; in a later phase the ability for models to be connected in real time, so that both models are running simultaneously feeding each other results, will be added. Based on Java, the framework can also be used directly and extended by experienced computational scientists.
