Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
8.3.3.3
Complex System Models
The agent-based modeling approach has been used recently to study the complexity
of the agricultural sector. This includes studying the technology adaptation by farm-
ers [
100
], rural supply chains [
101
], and bioenergy networks [
102
]. This approach
enables the incorporation of social and personal factors in decision making, which
makes these models more realistic. Shastri et al. [
103
] have developed an agent-
based model to study the development and functioning of the feedstock production
system in the presence of stakeholder competition and uncertainty. The model takes
an object-oriented approach and models the interaction between different stake-
holders (agents) in the system. The key novelty of this model is the incorporation of
economic as well as personal and social factors in decision making. The model
simulation results have shown that the feedstock production sector may take multi-
ple years to develop and reach stable productivity. Moreover, the competition would
drive the actual cost of feedstock to almost 40 % more than the optimized cost. Lack
of formalized theory or standardized modeling methodology for the agent-based
models has resulted in great diversity in the model structure. This limits the com-
parison of different models in this domain.
8.3.3.4
Decision Support Systems
Shastri et al. [
104
] have described the development of the ConSEnT (Concurrent
Science, Engineering, and Technology) platform for the production of biomass
feedstock. This platform, as illustrated in Fig.
8.5
, integrates database, modeling and
analysis, and a web-based DSS, thereby incorporating all the components of the SIA
approach. Domdouzis et al. [
105
,
106
] have described the database, which is based
on the concept diagrams for the system, and the application programming interfaces
for effi cient data entry and retrieval. The database is to be continuously updated to
refl ect the latest scientifi c and technology developments in this fi eld. The BioFeed,
BioScope, BioTrAnS, and the agent-based models described previously are part of
the ConSEnT environment. BPSys is a web-based interface and constitutes the front
end of the ConSEnT environment [
107
]. It provides seamless access to the database
as well as the models. It is programmed in Java and integrates the functionalities
provided by software packages such as Apache Http Server, Apache Tomcat, Drupal,
MySQL database, and JFreeChart. The graphical user interface (GUI) of BPSys is a
Java applet embedded in a web page executed on users' local machines and works
as a front end. The GUI allows users to develop specifi c scenarios, import and mod-
ify data, add new equipment data, and run model simulations. The platform is cur-
rently being tested internally and will be made accessible to others in the near future.
8.3.4
Regional, National, and Global Systems
A number of issues, such as land use change and life-cycle emissions, become
important at the regional, national, and global scales. The impact of new
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