MODELING INDIVIDUAL-MOVEMENTS IN HETEROGENEOUS LANDSCAPES - POTENTIALS OF A NEW APPROACH

This paper deals with modelling methods for spatially explicit simulat ions of animal movements in heterogeneous landscapes. Within this cont ext technical and methodical limitations of grid-based models are disc ussed followed by examining the sparse use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Then a new approach is presented which is distinguishe d by two essential features to overcome the constituted limitations: ( 1) an irregular grid (similar to a quadtree) for modelling heterogeneo us, patchy landscapes on a wide range of spatial scales and (2) the ob ject-oriented approach for modelling individual movements in a vector- based manner independently of the resolution of the underlying grid. T his sophisticated approach is embedded in a modelling framework which provides methods for model definition, simulation handling and flexibl e model evaluation. Finally, general potentials and links to modelling results of this approach are given. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.