Ecological simulation models are typically problem-specific and question-driven, but the underlying mechanics frequently draw on general physical phenomena. General physical environmental processes (atmospheric, hydrologic, and oceanographic) are often well represented by available yet complex georeferenced physical environmental models. An ongoing dialogue between these two types of models not only would provide a feedback loop allowing for information exchange during simulations but also would reduce the time invested in model development and testing. However, in practice, development of computational links between autonomous software modules is often problematic. The objective of this study was to design a general coupling mechanism that facilitates a modular modeling structure through an intermediate layer between a physical environmental model and a spatially-explicit ecological model. As a case study, we developed a modeling platform that computationally links a well-known sophisticated atmospheric model to a custom-built population dynamics model.
Results/Conclusions
We used NetLogo, a popular programming language for individual-based ecological modeling, to implement a spatially-explicit simulation model for aphid population growth and migration. To provide a realistic representation of air movement, we utilized HYSPLIT, a widely-used complex atmospheric dispersion model whose applications include simulation of air particle (here aphids) transport, dispersion, and deposition. We developed an algorithm for communication between these two independent modeling modules which permits information exchange between the modules as frequently as required during execution of the simulation. The algorithm can be easily adapted to coupling other sets of physical environmental and ecological models.