Related to deliverable No: D.4.2.13
Version 20 Nov. 09
Tool title and potential use
Eco-SpaCE (Ecological and Spatially explicit Cumulative Exposure model)
A receptor-oriented, ecology-based individual-based model to predict exposure and
risk of terrestrial vertebrates to environmental stressors (chemical and natural). It can
be used to assess the exposure and risk at the population level and to explore the
relative contribution of chemical stress in a multiple stressor situation.
Novelty and background
Risk assessment traditionally focuses on single stressors. In practice, organisms are
exposed to multiple stressors, and not to chemicals alone, but to a combination of
chemical, biological and physical agents. Therefore, exposure models for multiple
stressors should primarily focus on the receptor, and not on the stressor(s). Further, it
is generally recognized that contaminant exposure of mobile animals is influenced by
spatial variation. So, Eco-SpaCE models exposure to multiple co-occuring stressors
spatially explicit and using a food web-based approach. It simulated multiple
individuals (receptors) interacting with their environment to assess their effects at the
population level.
Description of tool and current state
The Ecological Spatially explicit Cumulative Exposure model (Eco-SpaCE) is a
receptor-oriented, individual-based model implemented in an object-oriented
programming platform within C++ and as a discrete event simulation. For cadmium
and zinc exposure the model has been validated [1,2,6]. The model is a windowsexecutable with a graphical user interface. Text-files describing the environment and
species characteristics are required as input. The model is ready to use for several
terrestrial vertebrates in a Dutch floodplain area, but has to be parameterised with
new input data when applied to a new area. Results are printed to text-files, and have
to be interpreted manually.
References
1. Loos M, Ragas A M J, Plasmeijer R, Schipper A M, Hendriks A J
(Submitted) Eco-SpaCE: an object-oriented, spatially explicit model to assess
the risk of multiple environmental stressors on terrestrial vertebrate
populations. Science of the Total Environment.
2. Loos M, Ragas A M J, Tramper J J, Hendriks A J. (2009 ) Modeling zinc
regulation in small mammals. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
28: 2378-2385.
3. Loos M, Ragas A M J, Hendriks A J, Plasmeijer M J. (2008) Ecological and
Spatially explicit Cumulative & Exposure model (Eco-SpaCE), an individualbased ecological exposure model for terrestrial vertebrates in an objectoriented programming platform. Department of Environmental Science,
Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 61pp. NoMiracle IP
D.4.2.13
4. Loos M, Tramper J J, Ragas A M J, Hendriks A J. (2008) Exposure
modelling for non-essential metals using a dynamic kinetic approach for
metal accumulation – a Zn case study. Department of Environmental Science,
Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands 79pp. NoMiracle
IP D.4.2.12
5. Loos M, Ragas A M J.(2006a) Extension of the random walk model with an
effects module for combined exposure to multiple substances. Department of
Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the
Netherlands, 35pp. NoMiracle IP D.4.2.7
6. Schipper A M, Loos M, Ragas A M J, Lopes J P C, Nolte B, Wijnhoven S,
Leuven R S E W. (2008) Modeling the influence of environmental
heterogeneity on heavy metal exposure concentrations for terrestrial
vertebrates in river floodplains. Environ Toxicol and Chemi 27: 919-932.
Responsible scientists:
Mark Loos, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen,
the Netherlands, m.loos@science.ru.nl
Ad M.J. Ragas, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University
Nijmegen, the Netherlands, a.ragas@science.ru.nl