[See the warning about this review in the second paragraph]

EcoBeaker is a package consisting of a modeling program and a dozen laboratories which illustrate several concepts in ecology and conservation biology. The program runs individual-based models on a spatially-explicit landscape, which means you see little colored squares running around a grid on the screen, each square representing one creature in the model. The laboratories are all arranged as experiments which the students have to perform, and the program includes a variety of sampling and manipulation techniques to let students conduct these experiments, and graphs to look at the output. Laboratories range from explorations of standard ecology textbook ideas such as the intermediate disturbance hypothesis to conservation biology topics to sampling design. In addition, you can construct your own models to make new laboratories.

EcoBeaker was written by the author of this FAQ, so needless to say, I think its a swell program. But I won't presume to give a review, except to say that lots of people are using it and you should check out my EcoBeaker web site for more information.

Computer: Macintosh and Windows

Source: http://www.ecobeaker.com or email info@ecobeaker.com

Cost: Low

Last update 16th of June 1998