EcoSim: A Proposal for Null Models Software

生态学家经常依靠计算机密集的蒙特卡罗模拟来量化种群和群落结构的模式。这些模型被称为零模型，因为它们相对于某个过程是零的，例如物种间的竞争。EcoSim是一个基于Windows的交互式模拟软件应用程序，允许进行各种空模型分析。该程序目前包含用于分析物种多样性、物种共生、生态位重叠、身体大小重叠和宏观生态学的模块。目前的提议将允许开发新的生态模拟单元，以分析人口和社区一级的空间和时间格局。社区模块包括一致性测试、空间共生测试、生物地理重叠测试和马尔可夫演替测试。种群模块包括密度依赖分析、种群生存能力分析、空间格局分析和距离协方差分析。EcoSim被学术界和教育界广泛使用，既是研究工具，也是教学工具。它将研究人员和教育工作者从编程、测试和调试生态相关程序的耗时家务中解放出来。该程序包含大量文档、样本数据集、教程和基于html的帮助系统。公众和科学界可以从EcoSim网站免费获得该计划。

Ecologists often rely on computer-intensive Monte Carlo simulations to quantify patterns of population and community structure. These models are called null models, because they are null with respect to a certain process, such as interspecific competition. EcoSim is a Windows-based interactive simulation software application that allows for a variety of null model analyses. The program currently contains modules for the analysis of species diversity, species co-occurrence, niche overlap, body size overlap, and macroecology. The current proposal will allow for the development of new EcoSim modules for the analysis of spatial and temporal patterns at the population and community level. Community modules include tests of concordance, spatial co-occurrence, biogeographic overlap, and Markovian succession. Population modules include analyses of density-dependence, population viability, spatial pattern, and distance covariance. EcoSim is widely used by the academic and educational community, as both a research and a teaching tool. It frees researchers and educators from the time-consuming chores of programming, testing, and debugging ecologically relevant programs. The program contains extensive documentation, sample data sets, a tutorial, and an html-based help system. The program is available at no cost to the public and scientific community from the EcoSim website.