Agent-Based Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems: Achievements, Challenges, and a Way Forward

• DOI: 10.18564/jasss.3423
• Publication Date: 2017-03-31T23:32:34Z
• Authors: Jule Schulze; Birgit Müller; Jürgen Groeneveld; Volker Grimm
• Keywords: TRACE (psycholinguistics); Ecological systems theory

Understanding social-ecological systems (SES) is crucial to supporting the sustainable management of resources.Agent-based modelling a valuable tool achieve this because it can represent behaviour and interactions organisms, human actors institutions.Agent-based models (ABMs) have therefore already been widely used study SES.However, ABMs SES are by their very nature complex.They di icult parameterize analyse, which limit usefulness.It time critically reflect upon current state-of-the-art evaluate what degree potential agent-based for gaining general insights specific decision-making has utilized.We reviewed achievements challenges building developments in good practice field ecological with its longer history.As reference, we TRACE framework, encompasses elements model development, testing analysis.We firstly regard framework addressed reviews method papers ABMs.Secondly, mini-review, evaluated whether were publications on ABMs.We identified substantial gaps ( ) communicating represented real well enough intended purpose analysing systematic transparent way so that output not only observed but also understood.To fill these gaps, joint e ort community needed foster advancement use strategies such as participatory approaches, standard protocols communication, sharing source code, tools design analysis.Throughout our analyses, provide recommendations references improving state-of-the-art.We thereby hope contribute establishment new advanced culture will allow us better develop theory practical solutions.