This course aims to equip students with model thinking and modelling tools to evaluate the validity of interconnected hypotheses and refine the primary questions crucial for understanding ecological systems. The overarching goal is to show that with modeling, the key factors or relations of system dynamics can be identified which may inform and simplify empirical studies.

Structure:

Spanning over four years, one full day every semester, the course offers 8 topics, cycling through these to enable graduate students to select pertinent subjects throughout their PhD journey.

Topic selection is collaborative, ensuring relevance and current interest.

Schedule:

● First Date: 22 October 2024, 09:00 - 16:00

● Frequency: Biannual workshops in October and March

● Format: Each term begins with a preparatory session to familiarise students with modeling basics, using Julia for its powerful numerical packages (with R as an optional alternative).

The main workshop focuses on diverse approaches to the topic with hands on models (provided in notebooks), followed by small group discussions (2-3 participants) to explore application to their research. The aim is to give the students an overview of what is possible with modeling and lower the threshold for trying it themselves. Students are not required to build their own model unless they want to. Participation in workshops earns 0.5 credits per topic, totalling 4 credits over four years.

Project Work:

Students have the opportunity to develop a model post-workshop relevant to their research, with guidance available from the course leader. Projects culminate in a mandatory seminar presentation approximately two months later, awarding 2 credits. Multiple projects are possible, though credit is awarded for only one.

Tentative Topics:

Systems Ecology - Material and energy flows, food webs, feedbacks and resilience.
The Individual - Physiological responses, allometry, ontogenetic growth, behavior, traits.
Abiotic Interactions - Niche modeling, climate effects, spatio-temporal patterns.
Biotic Environment - Interactions, predation, parasitism, defenses.
Diversity Dynamics - Models of diversity, species abundances, extinction modeling.
Evolutionary Dynamics - Genetic factors, fitness landscapes, adaptive dynamics.
Environmental Change - Climate impacts, land use chaneg, analysis methods.
Human Impacts - Resource extraction, policy instruments, use if depletable, refillable and  regeneration natural resoures.

This course is designed to foster a deep understanding of ecological systems through model thinking, offering hands-on experience in applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

For more information and registration contact the course leader Jon Norberg (jon.norberg@su.se)