Volker Grimm
Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research
Department of Ecological
Modelling
Building 1.0, Room 211 
map
Tel: +49 (0) 341 235 1711
Fax: +49 (0) 341 235 1473
Postal address:
Permoserstr. 15
D-04318 Leipzig
E-mail:
volker.grimm@ufz.de
NEW: 
See new article on TRACE.
NEW: Recent update of the ODD protocol (August 2010).
NEW: Download draft chapters of new textbook on agent-based modelling!
NEW: Download Jan Thiele's new R-extension for NetLogo!
Research Interests
- How to model it: Ecological models, in particular simulation models, often seem to be formulated ad hoc and only poorly analysed. I am therefore interested in strategies and methods for making ecological modelling more coherent and efficient. The ultimate aim is to develop preditive models that provide mechanstic understanding of ecological systems and that are transparent and structurally realistic enough to support environmental decision making.
- Pattern-oriented modelling: This is a general strategy of using multiple patterns observed in real systems as multiple criteria for chosing model structure, selecting among alternative submodels, and inversely determining entire sets of unknown model parameters.
- Individual-based and agent-based modelling: For many, if not most, ecological questions individual-level aspects can be decisive for explaining system-level behavior. IBM/ABMs allow to represent individual heterogeneity, local interactions, and/or adaptive behaviour
- Ecological theory and concepts: I am particularly interested in exploring stability properties like resilience and persistence.
- Modelling for ecological applications: Pattern-oriented modelling allows to develop structurally realistic models, which can be used to support decision making and the management of biodiversity and natural resources. Currently, I am involved in the EU project CREAM, where a suite of population models is developed for pesticide risk assessment.
- Standards for model communication and formulation: In 2006, we published
a general protocol for describing individual- and agent-based models, called the
ODD protocol (Overview, Design concepts, details). ODD turned out to be more useful
(and needed) than we expected. An update of the protocol and its
description was submitted in September 2009 (for further details, see
ODD website). In the CREAM project,
we will try to extend the idea of ODD to all types of models and the entire modelling process.
Current Projects
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CREAM(Mechanistic Effect Models for Ecological Risk Assessment of Chemicals): This is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network, funded by the European Commission. CREAM is a network of 13 partner institutions and 8 associated partners from industry and regulatory authorities. In 20 PhD and 3 postdoc projects, a suite of population models will be developed for a wide range of organisms and systems (aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates fish, birds, and mammals). I am the coordinator of this project. CREAM started on September 1, 2009, and will run for four years. ( CREAM
website).
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ABM Textbook:Steve Railsback from Humboldt State University, California, and I are writing a textbook on individual-/agent- based modelling which is based on the software platform NetLogo. The book is for undergraduate and graduate students (and their instructors) from any discipline where agentbased models are used. Drafts chapters are available for download, testing, and commenting here: ABM textbook website.
Honey beesThe aim of the project is to explore and make predictions about the relative importance of, and interactions between, the multitude of factors that affect honeybee colony strength and survival in arable landscapes. The project combines modelling and empirical evidence in a "systems ecology" approach, to ensure the potential importance of un-measured interactions between factors can be evaluated. The project is carried out at Rothamsted Research, UK; project leader is Juliet Osborne. website.