Draft:The Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS)

ALMaSS, short for the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System. , is a comprehensive family of interconnected landscape-scale simulations designed to explore the impacts of landscape management on animal populations. Developed in 1996 by Chris J. Topping, ALMaSS integrates Geographic Information System (GIS)-generated landscapes with country-specific farm data and management practices. This integration results in detailed dynamic simulations of landscapes, providing a robust environment for running various models. ALMaSS primarily hosts two types of models: Agent-based models (ABM) and spatial stage-structured population models, also known as sub-population models. The latter are employed for species with vast populations where ABM simulations are unfeasible, relying on a conceptual basis rooted in Leslie matrix models.

One of ALMaSS's distinctive features is its utilization of real weather data to drive farm management actions and biomass growth. The system has expanded its scope from its origins in Denmark to encompass countries such as Germany, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Sweden, and Finland. Ongoing efforts are aimed at further expansion into the UK, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal.

The system includes simulations for various species, encompassing both fauna and insects, with ongoing development efforts to expand the range. Some of the notable species include the Eurasian Skylark, Field Vole, carabid beetles (e.g. Bembidion lampros ), Erigone atra , Roe Deer , Grey Partridge , European Brown Hare , European Rabbit , Seven-spotted Ladybird, European Honey Bee , and the Red Mason Bee[12]. Additionally, ALMaSS incorporates sub-population models for aphids, including the Black bean aphid, English grain aphid, Peach-potato aphid, and Pea aphid.

The Theoretical Approach of ALMaSS
The development of ALMaSS represented a significant departure from conventional ecological modeling paradigms. In contrast to the creation of simplistic models tailored for specific purposes, ALMaSS embraced a comprehensive and detailed approach. Leveraging advancements in computer technology, it introduced a paradigm shift by prioritizing the intricate modeling of both the environment and animals. This approach was designed to cater to diverse scenarios, marking a departure from traditional, limited-use models.

At the core of ALMaSS's innovative methodology are reflective agent models, a key component that sets it apart. These models delve into the intricacies of the ecological system, providing a level of detail crucial for creating accurate and reliable predictive models. By adopting reflective agent models, ALMaSS ensures a nuanced understanding of the interplay between the environment and animal behaviors, leading to the development of robust predictive models that find application across various scenarios

ALMaSS is built using an object-oriented design and is implemented in C++. The current visual interface utilizes Qt technology. Since its inception, ALMaSS has been widely utilized and presented in numerous scientific publications, covering areas such as population genetics, ecology, pesticide impacts, and risk assessment on wildlife. See the ALMaSS Outputs RIO collection for a full bibliography.

Main Components of ALMaSS
Regarding model design, ALMaSS integrates detailed GIS-based landscapes that incorporate physical habitats, farms, and farm management practices. The system retains individual farms and their fields, utilizing geolocated data to calculate farm rotations, vegetation growth models, as well as patterns of nectar and pollen, and pesticide loads. These calculations dynamically adjust based on hourly weather data and temporal considerations within the year.

To simulate the living landscapes, ALMaSS employs agent-based models, incorporating animal species with varying temporal resolutions, either on a daily or 10-minute timescale depending on the species. For modeling intricate behaviors, ALMaSS adopts a state-transition approach, enabling individuals to transition between different states or behaviors, contributing to a more nuanced representation of ecological dynamics.

Documentation
To address the complexity of ALMaSS modelling, a new documentation paradigm has been proposed. This approach involves publishing a Formal Model article format paper, followed by the creation of Doxygen-based documentation and model evaluation papers. This method ensures a high level of quality assurance for complex models like ALMaSS. The Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal accepts these model documentation formats.

Use
The development of ALMaSS led to the establishment of the Social-Ecological Systems Simulation Centre (SESS) at Aarhus University in 2020. SESS serves as the hub for ALMaSS development and collaborates with researchers and institutions across Europe. ALMaSS continues to be a vital tool for researchers and institutions, providing valuable insights into the intricate interactions between landscape management and animal populations, feeding into key Horizon Europe research projects (e.g. EcoStack, B-GOOD, PollinERA).