Ecotone is a nutrient dynamics simulation which aims to explore how rational agents within a dynamic system evolve to occupy a particular niche within that system. An ecotone is a transition area between two different ecological communities that exhibits competition between organisms common to both. The etymology of -tone is the Greek tonos, meaning tension. That is, it is an area where organisms are in the process of vying for resources and potentially of adapting to new niches. Our simulation is concerned with the tension of unstable and initially random populations adapting or failing to adapt in competition with each other.

Users can interact with Ecotone to manipulate the enviroment by tuning various parameters such as the speed and direction of the sun and wind, the nutrient composition of the soil, and the density and growth rate of plant life. Additionally, users can control a host of variables that describe the knowledge bases of the organisms, which effect the ability of carnivores to hunt and herbivores to flee.

Ectone was initially created in collaboration with Karl Yerkes.

[git repository]
[project write-up.pdf]