Qualitative models of interactions between two populations

Issue title: Binding Environmental Sciences and Artificial Intelligence

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Salles, Paulo | Bredeweg, Bert | Araujo, Symone | Neto, Walter

Affiliations: Universidade de Brasilia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia – DF, 70.910‐900, Brasil E‐mail: [email protected] | University of Amsterdam, Department of Social Science Informatics Roetersstraat 15, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands E‐mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Ecological knowledge is often characterised as being incomplete, sparse and non‐formalised. Qualitative reasoning provides means to capture such knowledge that is otherwise difficult to represent in computer programs. An additional feature is that qualitative models can be used to run interactive simulations in learning environments, providing opportunities for learners to acquire causal insights about ecological phenomena. In this paper we present qualitative models of interactions between two populations in biological communities. Our approach further explores a qualitative theory of population dynamics previously implemented. Based on this theory we have developed and implemented qualitative models and simulations that support reasoning about the most common behaviours of two interacting populations. In our models the assumptions are explicitly represented and therefore can be analysed by students and modellers. We also discuss how these models can be organised to create interesting learning routes for teaching learners about population and community behaviour.

Keywords: Population ecology, qualitative modelling and simulation, learning environments

Journal: AI Communications, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 291-308, 2003