Parallel and vector processing in landscape dynamics

摘要

With single-processor scalar machines that have small memory capacities, ecological simulations have required large numbers of calculations on sets of variables at a single point in space (i.e., point models). In a computer environment featuring multiple and/or vector processors and relatively large memory capability, calculations may be performed simultaneously on variables across the spatial domain (i.e., distributed models). Independent tasks within programs may be processed in parallel and/or at vector speeds. Therefore, regional and global ecological simulations become feasible. However, vector and parallel architecture is fundamentally different from the architecture of standard scalar machines, and different viewpoints of problem structure will be required of ecologist to utilize these architectures effectively.