Simulation vs. Definition: Differing Approaches to Setting Probabilities for Agent Behaviour

摘要: While geographers and economists regularly work together on the development of land-use land-cover change models, research how differences in their modelling approaches affects results is rare. Answering calls for more coordination between two disciplines order to build models that better represent real world, we (two a geographer) developed an economically grounded, spatially explicit, agent-based model explore effects environmental policy rural land use New Zealand. This inter-disciplinary collaboration raised number approach. One key difference, focus this paper, way which processes shape behaviour agents are integrated within model. Using nationally representative survey, compare disciplinary-aligned setting farmer agent’s likelihood conversion. anticipated would significantly affect outcomes, at catchment scale they produced similar trends results. However, further analysis sub-catchment suggests approach conversion does matter. outlined here will not fully resolve disciplinary differences, do outline need account heterogeneity predicted agent behaviours both disciplines.