Toward an agent-based and equation-based coupling framework

Abstract

The ecology modeling generally opposes two class of models, equations based models and multi-agents based models. Mathematical models allow predicting the long-term dynamics of the studied systems. However, the variability between individuals is difficult to represent, what makes these more suitable models for large and homogeneous populations. Multi-agent models allow representing the attributes and behavior of each individual and therefore provide a greater level of detail. In return, these systems are more difficult to analyze. These approaches have often been compared, but rarely used simultaneously. We propose a hybrid approach to couple equations models and agentbased models, as well as its implementation on the modeling platform Gama [7]. We focus on the representation of a classical theoretical epidemiological model (SIR model) and we illustrate the construction of a class of models based on it.