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GrassWorld

Reviewed:	Aug 12, 2001 by Biology Editorial Board
Overview:	"Grass World" is an ecological simulator from Yale University?s Center for Computational Ecology. The program uses Gecko, an individual-based simulator for modeling ecosystem dynamics. The Grass World models are of an essentially flat system featuring a three-level food chain: plants that use sunlight and soil nutrients, herbivorous grasshoppers, and carnivorous spiders. Organisms are represented by dynamic spheres that represent space occupancy and interaction with the model ecosystem. The size of an organism is defined by the radius of the sphere, which can be viewed either as a two-dimensional circle, or as a three-dimensional sketch of the sphere. Menus besides the model provide discussion, exploration, help and references. Top menu buttons enable the user to vary scenarios, parameters, and steps throughout the simulation. Graphical representations, using Java Applets, allow visualization of scaled biomass and population size.
Target Student Population:	Advanced College or Graduate
Type of Material:	Simulation
Technical Requirements:	HTML with Java Applet

Rating:

Strengths:	Quality of Content: (4.60) (4.25) = Rounded to 4.4 Clearly laid out and organized. Material complete. Accurate with excellent references to justify simulations. Good use of simulation with text annotations available in side menu. Graphics are straightforward.
Concerns:	None

Rating:

Strengths:

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool: (4.50) (4.50) = Rounded to 4.5

Graphics are good, but could be converted to 3-D to make more engaging for
students.

Site provides two scenarios with directions on how to set the simulation,
as well as questions to answer.

Concerns:

Rating:

Strengths:

Usability: (4.25) (4.20) = Rounded to 4.2

Visualization through the three-dimensional representation of the simulation
is very helpful in understanding the simulator.

Concerns:

A default simulation begins upon entering the site with Population and Scaled Biomass graphs overlaying the main screen. This may confuse first-time users.

Features of Excellence:

Recommendations:

Additional links providing basic information about ecosystem modeling would better prepare some students for experiencing the simulation.

Overall Rating: (4.38) Rounded to 4.4

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