Integrating Julia Code into the Unity Game Engine to Dive into Aquatic Plant Growth

Abstract

Ecologists use process-based ecological models to predict biodiversity, but their complex results can be challenging to com- municate. This challenge can be addressed through interactive visual simulations, which are easy to create with sophisticated game engines such as Unity. However, mechanistic models are increasingly written in the Julia programming language and Unity does not support its integration. In this paper, we present a Julia-Unity plugin that allows direct coupling of Julia and Unity codes. It was developed in a user-centred, iterative manner. The given use case of an immersive, interactive simulation of a macrophyte growth model was tailored to public outreach and science communication. The resulting, rather versatile plugin is a novel tool that features immersive visualisations of Julia-coded simulation models, ecological or otherwise. Due to the features of a game engine, they are particularly apt to engage a wider audience, facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work, and enable the exploration of complex systems.