| In ecology, agent-based models are referred to as ''individual-based models'' (IBMs). Since the beginning of the 1990s, IBMs are widely used to address all kinds of problems in ecology and natural resource management, including biological conservation. Despite of the potentials of IBMs, the specific challenges of IBMs are becoming increasingly clear. IBMs are more complex than simple analytical models, which requires appropriate strategies and techniques for model design, testing, validation, analysis and communication. In particular, a general framework is needed which makes IBMs in ecology more efficient and coherent. I will present such a framework, which consists of two main elements: (1) IBMs are designed to test alternative theories about the adaptive behavior of the individuals; (2) multiple patterns at different hierarchical levels are used to design IBMs, to validate their structure, and to test the theories about adaptive behavior. I will demonstrate this framework by presenting examples models addressing different basic and applied questions of ecology and natural resource management. Finally, I will invite the participants to discuss how the strengths of ecological IBMs, which are usually of a more applied nature, can be merged with the strengths of more theoretical ABMs, which are more dominant in other disciplines. |