Ecosystem Modelling

COURSE OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to:

• Write, run and validate a simple computer program
• Select whether a modelling-approach is valid for answering the ecological or environmental research question at hand
• Critically investigate and evaluate the assumptions underlying numerical models -
• Apply different techniques used in numerical modelling for answering ecological and environmental questions.

COURSE CONTENT
Where science unravels more and more physiological, physical and ecological processes, models can help to synthesise this knowledge in a consistent numerical framework. Also, when field experiments are impossible, unethical or excessively expensive, simulation experiments can be used to forecast the outcome of different treatments or climate scenarios. This course will introduce the different usages of numerical models. The basic tools of the trade will be introduced and implemented during computer-based exercises. Moreover, two challenging models will be built; one simulating carbon allocation in trees, the other simulating growth of coral reefs, self-organisation of vegetation in arid regions or flocking of birds and fish. The course builds on ecological, physical and mathematical knowledge and skills obtained during the BSc years to construct new skills: basic computer programming, numerical modelling and critical thinking in the context of numerical models.

TEACHING METHODS
Lecture, Computer Lab

The lectures address:

• Measure or model – Overview of the main ecosystem models (week 1)
• Tools of the trade – Basics of computer programming (week 1)
• Tools of the trade – Developing a carbon allocation model for forests (week 2 – 4)
• Measure or model – Numerical issues in ecological models (week 5)
• Tools of the trade – Developing a spatially explicit ecological model (week 5-8)

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
During the course, three individual exercises and a presentation will be graded to make up the final grade:

• Exercise 1: The basics of computer programming (1 point)
• Exercise 2: A carbon allocation model (3 points)
• Exercise 3: A spatially explicit ecological model, i.e., self-organisation of vegetation in drylands OR flocking of birds and fish OR growth of coral reefs (5 points).
• Presentation of the model and results (1 point).

RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Ecology, People, and Nature I (AB_1001); Ecology, People, and Nature II (AB_1002); Life Communities and Ecosystems (AB_1208)

TARGET AUDIENCE
MSc Third year BSc students in Biology and Minor Evolutionary Biology and Ecology with an interest in quantitative (large-scale) ecology