We describe the characteristics and behaviour of emergent patterns we have found in a simple predator-prey simulation model. We have extensively simulated a ``flatland'' populated with microscopically detailed individual animals. Animals' behaviours are rule-based and follow a predator-prey schema based on a small number of adjustable parameters. We have searched the model parameter space and found regimes of rich emergent behaviour and have devised various observation techniques and quantifiable measurements to characterise the growth behaviour of the emergent spatial patterns. We report on a taxonomical classification of the emergent patterns or ``macroscopic life-forms'' found in our model and a preliminary analysis of the transformations between different collective patterns.
Keywords: emergent pattern; predator-prey model development; agent-based modelling.
Full Document Text: PDF version.
Citation Information: Proc. IASTED International Conference on Modelling, Simulation and Optimization (MSO 2006), Gabarone, Botswana, September 2006.
BiBTeX reference:
@inproceedings{CSTN-015,
address = {Gabarone, Botswana},
title="A Zoology of Emergent Life Patterns in a Predator-Prey Simulation Model",
author="K.A.Hawick, H.A.James and C.J.Scogings",
booktitle="Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED International Conference on Modelling, Simulation, and Optimization",
editor="H. Nyongesa",
year="2006",
pages="Paper 507-115",
month="September",
note="IASTED, ACTA Press",
series="CSTN-015"
}
\bibitem{CSTN-015}
A Zoology of Emergent Life Patterns in a Predator-Prey Simulation Model,
K.A.Hawick, H.A.James and C.J.Scogings,
IASTED Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED International Conference on Modelling, Simulation, and Optimization,
September 11-13, 2006, Paper 507-115,
Edited by H. Nyongesa, Pub. ACTA Press.
and Technical Note CSTN-015.