Inferring Equation-Based Models from Agent-Based Models : A Case Study in Competition Dynamics

Two types of model, equation-based models (EBMs) and agent-based models (ABMs) are now widely used in modeling ecological complex systems and seem not to be reconciled. While ABMs can help in exploring and explaining the local causes of global phenomena, EBMs are useful for predicting their long-term evolution without having to explore them through simulated experiments. In this paper, we show that it is possible to use an ABM to infer an EBM. Based on the case study, a dynamics of two competing species, we illustrate our methodology through the presentation of two models: an ABM and an EBM. We also show that the two models give the same results on coexistence of the two competing species.