Computer‐based environment for the study of ecological systems

Describes a computational environment based on cellular automata and genetic algorithm principles. This kind of approach is useful in a large set of applications, particularly in biological models, including those related to theoretical ecology. The program runs on an IBM compatible personal computer with a visual genetic algorithm display. It would be preferable to have at least a 80386‐based machine to take advantage of its speed of processing. It is menu‐based oriented to facilitate its use by non‐experts, and permits the interference by the researcher in many environmental and behavioural parameters, allowing many kind of studies. Illustrates the program′s capabilities by applying it to a set of simulations in order to demonstrate their effect on the evolution of the biological population.