Rural Economy and Land Use Simulation Modelling

Project Status: Completed (See Final Report Summary)
Type of Project: Development Activity
Principal Investigator: Dr Robin Matthews, Macaulay Institute (Email)

 

Objectives

Simulation modelling, including spatial and time dimensions, is a way in which the diverse data from a number of different disciplines can be brought together under a common framework, to allow testing different hypothesis of how the system can be changed, without the time, expense and moral implications of altering a real system. Although integrated simulation models have been in existence for some time, most of these are based on economics approaches which attempt to optimise use of resources such as capital or labour to maximise a particular output.

However, there is a growing realisation that many human decisions are not made on this basis, which has given rise to a new modelling approach called agent-based modelling (ABM). Still in their infancy, such models attempt to capture the actual processes of decision-making at the level of an individual or institution, and are able to take into account many of the constraints faced in real life such as limited information, communication between individuals, and interactions with the environment. In this proposal, we plan to review existing agent-based land-use modelling approaches, and, within the context of the RELU Programme, assess their suitability and develop a strategy for integrated simulation model development.

Publications

Matthews, R. and Selman, P. (2006) ‘Landscape as a focus for integrating human and environmental processes’ Journal of Agricultural Economics, 57, 2: 199-212.

Matthews, R., Gilbert, N., Roach, A., Polhill, J.G. and Gotts, N.M. (2007) "Agent-based land-use models: a review of applications" Landscape Ecol 22:1447-1459

Conference Papers and Presentations

Matthews R (2004) Future landscapes: modelling concepts, approaches and tools. Paper presented to Rural Economy and Land Use Rural Futures Workshop, Royal Institution, London, 12-13 October.

Selman, P. and Matthews, R. (2005) "Landscapes as a focus for integrating human and environmental processes" Presentation to RELU Workshop People and the Environment: Scoping the Research Agenda, York.

Selman, P. (2005) “Landscape as an integrating framework” Presentation to RELU conference Rural Economy and Land Use: The Challenge for Research 19-21 Jan 2005, Birmingham.