Agent-based visualization: A simulation tool for the analysis of river morphosedimentary adjustments

Abstract

Spatially explicit agent-based models and simulations are playing an increasing role in the modelling of complex natural and social systems. The ARCHEM project belongs to this new research area. It proposes a new methodology to visualize the fine-scale sediment transport of a river. In this paper, we present the first implementation of ARCHEMon a case study of the Rhone river. Even though visualization cannot replace the analysis of simulation results, it often constitutes a more accessible medium that can facilitate more specific and accurate interpretations of simulation output. It has the advantage of offering immediate feedback as well as a way to interact with and analyze results. We show how to support multiple viewpoints and different levels of abstraction using an agent-based visualization approach. We present a specific application focusing on dynamical 3D rendering of a GIS file and the analysis of morphosedimentary adjustments.