GETTING “RESULTS”: THE PATTERN‐ORIENTED APPROACH TO ANALYZING NATURAL SYSTEMS WITH INDIVIDUAL‐BASED MODELS

1. Introduction. Individual-based models (IBM's) are increasingly used to simulate natural resources and their response to management and exploitation. Many IBM's represent animal populations, but others (mainly unpublished) simulate how fishing regulations affect fish populations and harvest (including models with fishing boats simulated as individuals), interactions among recreational boaters seeking anchoring sites, interactions among hikers and motorized tourists in wilderness situations, and even the evolution of activist organizations in response to competition for members.