This project serves as an sandbox for learning some of the standard techniques and algorithms behind graphics and AI, as well as an opportunity to experiment with my own ideas.  There are three major components involved in the project's implementation: the graphical representation of the environment (including weather), the artificial intelligence of the animals involved in the ecosystem, and a graphical interface through which the user can monitor and affect the simulation.  The simulation is implemented using Microsoft's XNA Game Studio 2.0, a framework with limited libraries to maximize deeper understanding of the processes involved in using 3D graphics and AI within a real time application.  Some images showing the project's progression:

I've made this project and its source available for download:  http://code.google.com/p/envsim