Additional module information: Modulbeschreibung Einführung in die ökologische Modellierung Schließen

You will need a computer to develop the simulation models (not a tablet)! The lecture will be made available on the day before. There will be a full-day presentation of your results, the date for this will be determined together with the participants. Schließen

Content:
The lecture provides the basics of ecological modeling and gives an introduction to the understanding, the construction and the analysis of Individual Based Models. The course will strength the accent on how to apply them to specific ecosystems. Those models are powerful tools widely used in all the of Ecology, to represent, understand and predict the dynamics of complex systems, including manifolds interactions and feedback loops. Individual (or Agent) Based Models combine a process-based approach with stochasticity and the inclusion of a spatial dynamics. In this course, models will be built and simulated using the (free) software NetLogo, a multi-agent programmable modeling environment.

The purposes of this course are (1) to introduce the general principles of ecological modelling, and structuring a modelling approach, (2) following multiple examples to give the skills to build yourselves your own models from scratch, (3) to use your simulations results to understand complex relationships between several populations (agent) interacting with their environment (patch), (4) to perform a model analysis by running multiples simulations following a gradients of conditions, by making statistical analysis and to summarize the results into dedicated plots with the software R.

The course will end (under supervision) with the construction of your own model, which you will use to answer your own research question on a specific ecosystem, by performing an extended model analysis. The course will end with final presentation where all groups will share their modelling project on a ”seminar” on Wednesday December 18^th.

 The lecture is accompanied by numerous applied examples.

Learning objectives:
After completing this module, students will have basic knowledge of the quantitative assessment and dynamics of an ecosystem or ecosystem components (e.g., populations). They are able to describe positive or negative feedbacks between system components using models and master the basics of programming.

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