Towards Compositional Modelling of Ecological Systems via Dynamic Flexible Constraint Satisfaction

Keppens, J. and Shen, Q.

Proceedings of the 14th International Workshop on Qualitative Reasoning. 74-82.

July 2000

Abstract

This paper presents an initial work towards the development of a technique for compositional modelling of ecological systems. A knowledge representation framework is devised to suit system dynamics - the underlying modelling paradigm adopted. Model fragment selection and composition is achieved by means of dynamic flexible constraint satisfaction problem (DFCSP) solution techniques. A method for automatically translating a scenario and a model fragment library into a dynamic constraint satisfaction problem (DCSP) is proposed. From this DCSP all consistent scenario models can be derived through a hierarchy of subproblems and different model evaluation criteria can be imposed through specific sets of constraints. A technique is then suggested to order the modelling choices within each of the DCSP subproblems, in terms of the degree of model detail, and hence the preferences associated with these choices. The result is a compositional modeller in which the tasks of maintaining model consistency, selecting model boundary, evaluating model suitability are accomplished by resolving a single DFCSP.

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