Using the ODD protocol for comparing three agent-based social simulation models of land use change

This article compares three agent-based social simulation models in the area of land use change using a model documentation protocol, ODD, from the ecological literature, with a view to examining how well it enables the models to be compared, how well fitted it is to social simulations, and how successful it might be in increasing communication between individualand agent-based modellers. Such shared protocols can facilitate model review, comparison, and ultimately, replication. We initially conclude that the framework holds promise as a standard communication mechanism, although some refinements may be needed.