SC 14 - Introduction to Individual-based Modeling: Concepts, Theory, and Software

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Session Description: Individual-based models (IBMs) are uniquely important ecological tools for addressing the changes that are coming. Because they can incorporate the mechanisms driving population and ecosystem dynamics, IBMs have much greater potential for predicting consequences of novel conditions than do traditional data-driven models.

Four experienced IBM instructors and users will provide a practical, hands-on introduction designed to help launch new projects or research directions. The course is intended for students and faculty who want to model a specific problem or to add IBMs to their toolbox. Topics will include: (a) Conceptual approaches that make model design and evaluation efficient and credible—especially “pattern-oriented modeling” to use observed patterns to support model design decisions and test IBMs. (b) The role of theory in IBMs and the role of IBMs in ecological theory, including how to develop and test theory for individual adaptive behavior. (c) NetLogo, an extremely powerful, popular, and free software platform for IBMs. (d) IBMs and empirical research: how the use of IBMs affects the way we design field studies and use their results. The course will include a mix of short lectures, discussion and group work, and about three hours of interactive programming instruction. Ample time for questions and discussion is included. The course will prepare participants to use existing resources, especially the book “Agent-based and individual-based modeling: a practical introduction” by Railsback and Grimm, to productively support their future work.