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CaTMAS: A multi-agent model for simulating the dynamics of carbon resources of West African villages

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  • Belem, Mahamadou
  • Manlay, Raphaël J.
  • Müller, Jean-Pierre
  • Chotte, Jean-Luc

Abstract

Carbon is an important determinant of the sustainability of West African farming systems and of the atmospheric greenhouse effect. Given the complexity of C dynamics, various simulation models have been developed. Few include socioeconomic factors or handle system heterogeneity. This study proposes a generic, multi-agent model for the analysis of C dynamics at village level. It assumes that a better analysis of carbon dynamics at village level requires account to be taken of social, economic, physical and biological factors as well as of the actions of individuals and their interdependence. The Carbon of Territory Multi-Agent Simulator (CaTMAS) model is based on the Organization-Role-Entity-Aspect (OREA) meta-model and the Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) approach. OREA enables C dynamics to be studied from various points of view through the roles played by entities within organizations and also allows various entities to play the same role in various ways through the notion of aspects. The model was coupled with the Century model and a geographical information system to provide a realistic representation of C dynamics. CaTMAS provides not only a framework for the explicit description of the carbon dynamics of farming systems but can also be used to assess the viability of farming systems using various socioeconomic and biophysical scenarios. The model includes interactions between human activities and the environment. Simple simulations involving two cropping systems and focusing on the impact of population growth and different climate regimes on the C dynamics indicate that CaTMAS accounts realistically for the relationships between population, agriculture, climate and SOC dynamics. In simulation, population growth, which drives food demand, leads to agricultural expansion, land scarcity and decrease in fallow duration. These effects are accentuated by increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall which affect the SOC dynamics controlling soil fertility and thus crop production. Improvements to the model should make it possible to extend the scale of the simulation of C dynamics and include refinements such as the inclusion of the trading of carbon credits.

Suggested Citation

  • Belem, Mahamadou & Manlay, Raphaël J. & Müller, Jean-Pierre & Chotte, Jean-Luc, 2011. "CaTMAS: A multi-agent model for simulating the dynamics of carbon resources of West African villages," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(20), pages 3651-3661.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:222:y:2011:i:20:p:3651-3661
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.08.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manlay, Raphael J. & Ickowicz, Alexandre & Masse, Dominique & Floret, Christian & Richard, Didier & Feller, Christian, 2004. "Spatial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus budget of a village in the West African savanna--I. Element pools and structure of a mixed-farming system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 55-81, January.
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    4. Berre, D. & Diarisso, T. & Andrieu, N. & Le Page, C. & Corbeels, M., 2021. "Biomass flows in an agro-pastoral village in West-Africa: Who benefits from crop residue mulching?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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