On the value of simple stoichiometry to ALife simulations using EcoSim

Simulation software is vital to ALife research. It is known that stoichiometry is important for modeling real world ecosystems. However, most currently available ALife simulators ignore stoichiometry mechanics. Of course, not all ALife research is trying to model life as it is found on earth. In this paper, we demonstrate the value of including simple stoichiometry in ALife simulation software. Through extensive simulation results, we show that it is worthwhile even in simulators far removed from modeling real organisms on earth. Including simple stoichiometry allows agents to fill niches in a complex food web instead of all directly competing for the same resources. This increases the adaptability, survivability, robustness, and diversity of the simulated agents. Consequently the simulator is more powerful and will ultimately yield more intelligent agents.