A computer simulation of the trophic dynamics of an aquatic system

AQUASIM is a computer program which we developed to simulate interactions between environmental factors, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish in an aquatic system. The model parameters can be experimentally manipulated by students to simulate the response of the plankton to seasonal variations in light, temperature, and nutrient concentration in waters of different trophic status at different latitudes. The program is also of use to illustrate the mechanisms of ecosystem stability