Abstract. Analyzing complex problem domains is not easy. Simulation tools support decision makers to find the best policies. Model-based system development is an approach where a model of the application domain is the central driving force when designing simulation tools. State-of-the-art techniques however still require both expert knowledge of the application domain and the implementation techniques as provided by ICT (such as multilevel agent technology).Domain experts, however, usually do not master ICT sufficiently. Modeling is more insightful for the domain expert when its goal is to formalize the language being used in that domain as a semi-natural language. At the meta level, this language describes the main concepts of the type of application domain. The model then is a concretization of this meta model. The main focus of this article is (1) to propose a natural-language-based approach to modeling application domains, (2) to show how these models can be transformed systematically into computational models, and (3) to propose the tool TiC (Tool in Context) that supports the domain expert when developing a model and generating a simulation tool. Our research methodology is based on Design Science. We verify our approach by describing the various transformation steps in detail, and by demonstrating the way of working via a sample session applying a real problem of Laf Forest Reserve deforestation in North Cameroon.

This paper presents the application of a Multi-Level Agent Based Model technology through a Natural Model based Design in Context (NMDC) to describe and model a class of environ-mental problems. NMDC allow training domain expert to design a conceptual model for a concrete environmental problem. This model describes the underlying application domain in terms of environmental concepts and neither requires specific technical skills nor involves implementation details. We show how the associated TiC (Tool-in-Context) develop through NMDC can help the domain expert to describe in semi-natural (specific) language the environmental problem. This description is the basis for TiC to generate a simulation tool. On the base of this, we transform the specific language to NetLogo agent based code, thereby facilitating an early prototype application to be used by the domain expert. Finally, we applied this approach to explain and analyze the process of deforestation around the Laf Forest Reserve and discuss the prototype resulting from our approach. Cet article présente une application de l’approche de modélisation multi-échelle à base d’agent en s’appuyant sur un modèle spécifique (NMDC) pour décrire et modéliser une classe de problèmes environnementaux. Le modèle NMDC permet à l’expert du domaine de décrire le domaine d’application sous-jacent en termes de concepts environnementaux et ne nécessite pas de compétences techniques spécifiques, ni de détails de mise en oeuvre. Nous montrons comment l’outil TiC (Tool-in-Context) associé développé à partir du modèle NMDC peut aider l’expert du domaine à décrire dans un langage naturel (spécifique) le problème environnemental. Cette description est la base pour l’outil TiC de générer un outil de simulation. A travers cet outil, nous transformons le langage spécifique en code multi-agents NetLogo, facilitant ainsi un premier prototype de l’application pouvant être utilisé par l’expert de domaine. Enfin, nous appliquons cette approche pour expliquer et analyser le processus de déforestation autour de la réserve forestière de Laf et discuter du prototype résultant de notre approche.

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