Agent-Based Social Simulation within a Generic Framework for Environmental Modelling

We present an approach for the support of agent-based social simulation (ABSS) models within a generic framework for computer-based environmental modelling. The framework allows for the coupling of simulation models from various sciences to perform integrative simulations. It is applicable to any kind of model which simulates spatially distributed environmental processes with an arbitrary, but discrete, time scale. Our support for ABSS is geared towards agents that decide over a given set of plans which represent their course of actions. However, since all of the framework elements are on the one hand optional, and on the other hand easily and arbitrary extendable, there is in principle no restriction on its applicability. Within the GLOWA-Danube project, the framework has been successfully applied to construct the distributed simulation system DANUBIA which integrates up to 15 simulation models from various disciplines.