Divide and conquer: Configuring submodels for valid and efficient analyses of complex simulation models
Authored by Iris Lorscheid, Matthias Meyer
Date Published: 2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.11.013
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Abstract
Individual-based modeling is considered an important tool in ecology and
other disciplines. A major challenge of individual-based modeling is
that it addresses complex systems that include a large number of
entities, hierarchical levels, and processes. To represent these, individual-based models (IBMs) usually comprise a large number of
submodels. These submodels might be complex by themselves and interact
with each other in many ways, which in turn can affect the overall
system behavior in ways that are not always easy to understand. As a
result, both the validity and credibility of IBMs can be limited. We
here demonstrate how a cascaded design of simulation experiments (cDOE)
may support the validity and efficiency of the analysis of IBMs and
other ecological simulation models. We take a systematic approach that
adopts a divide-and-conquer strategy. In a preparatory phase, submodels
and their parameters are configured in ``subexperiments{''}.
Consequently, the ``top-level experiments{''} of the simulation model
can assess the research questions in a more valid and efficient way. Our
strategy thus supports the structural realism of individual-based models
because both the behavior of their main components and the relationships
between these components are explicitly addressed. (C) 2015 Elsevier
B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
Design
systems
Protocol
Sensitivity-analysis
Ecological models
Biology
Trace
Box