AM Coupled Human and Natural Systems : A Multi-Agent Based Approach

A major force affecting many forest ecosystems is the encroachment of residential, commercial and industrial development. Analysis of the comple x interactions between development decisions and ecosystems, and how the environmental consequences of these decisions influence human values and subsequent decisions will lead to a better understa nding of the environmental consequences of private choices and public policies. Determining condition s on the interactions between human decisions and n tural systems that lead to long-term sustainability of fo rest ecosystems is one goal of this work. Interact ions between human stakeholders are represented using mu lti-agent models that act on forest landscape model s in the form of land-use change. Feedback on the effec ts of these actions is received through ecological habitat metrics and hydrological responses. Results are presented based on a study of a riparian area of th e DallasFort Worth (Texas, U.S.A.) region facing intense re sid ntial development.