The simulation and visualization of complex human-environment interactions

The purpose of this paper is to describe ongoing research work into the dev elopment of a simulation system that integrates statistical analysis, simul ation and visualization with computer modeling for analyzing the complex hu man-environment interactions in dynamic settings. The simulation system all ows individuals to explore many facets of human-environment interactions an d resulting impacts and compare these results to field-tested methods of ac tual conditions. More specifically, the research explores procedures for re presenting the human decision-making process, behavior patterns and associa ted impacts within a dynamic environment. This tool provides opportunities to (1) develop methods to extract from human behavior and physical systems data, rules which define how individuals communicate, and interact with eac h other and their environment; (2) develop automated techniques for statist ically comparing actual human/environment interactions and associated impac ts with simulated outcomes; and (3) the use of visualization methods for ev aluating simulation outcomes against actual human-environment interactions. This research builds on data collected on human use, associated resource i mpacts and monitoring of environmental conditions along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. Both ecological (beach morphology, rive r flow rates) and social (human and recreation use and impact) data have al l been collected on the Colorado River ecosystem, This data will be used to test, evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of simulation and visuali zation techniques in solving complex problems in a dynamic, sensitive ecosy stem. The Grand Canyon River Trip Simulation system is currently being test ed to confirm the veracity of river trip projections provided by the model. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.