Ecosim: A Proposal for Null Models Software

EcoSim是一套用于Windows 95个人计算机的独立软件模块，可满足生物学家对空模型的需求。 “随机模型”是故意排除感兴趣的机制的模拟，并为自然界中的模式提供基准测试。 来自NSF SGER赠款的初始资金导致了图形用户界面的开发和EcoSim两个模块的原型。 该项目将扩展EcoSim并开发九个软件模块，以回答社区生态学中的广泛问题。 每个模块都将包含一些最适合解决该问题的模拟和统计测试。 这些模块将测试以下模式：（1）物种多样性，（2）生态位重叠，（3）体型比，（4）共生，（5）关联函数，（6）物种-面积关系，（7）范围重叠，（8）共有物种，（9）集群形成。 第十个模块将允许用户用最少的编程来构建定制的空模型测试。 这第十个用户模块将大大扩展EcoSim在群体遗传学，人口统计学和行为问题上的实用性。 EcoSim是用德尔菲编写的，Delphi是Object Pascal的高级编程环境。 数据可以很容易地导入和导出，与其他图形和统计软件完全兼容。 下拉菜单、复选框和功能强大的数据编辑器允许用户选择各种模拟选项。 输出是完全记录，并可以导出到文本文件。 一个广泛的在线帮助系统，其中包括一个教程和样本数据集，指导用户完成空模型分析的步骤。 扩展后的EcoSim将在研讨会、演讲和讲习班上展示。 与当前版本的程序一样，扩展后的EcoSim将通过互联网免费分发。

EcoSim is a set of stand-alone software modules for Windows 95 personal computers that will satisfy the needs of biologists for null models. "Null models" are simulations that deliberately exclude a mechanism of interest, and provide benchmark tests for patterns in nature. Initial funding from an NSF SGER grant resulted in the development of a graphical user interface and the prototypes for two modules of EcoSim. This project will expand EcoSim and develop nine software modules to answer broad questions in community ecology. Each module will contain a number of simulations and statistical tests that are most appropriate for addressing the question. The modules will test patterns of (1) species diversity, (2) niche overlap, (3) body size ratios, (4) co-occurrence, (5) incidence functions, (6) species-area relationships, (7) range overlap, (8) shared species, and (9) cluster formation. A tenth module will allow the user to construct customized null model tests with a minimum of programming. This tenth user-module will greatly expand the utility of EcoSim for problems in population genetics, demography, and behavior. EcoSim is written in Delphi, a high-level programming environment for Object Pascal. Data can be easily imported and exported, provided full compatibility with other graphics and statistics software. Pull-down menus, checkboxes, and a powerful data editor allow users to select a variety of simulation options. Output is fully documented and can be exported to text files. An extensive online Help system, which includes a tutorial and sample data sets, guides users through the steps of null model analysis. The expanded EcoSim will be demonstrated in seminars, presentations, and workshops. As with the current version of the program, the expanded EcoSim will be distributed free via the Internet.