Course overview
Ecological models are useful tools to understand natural systems and predict their variations over time as they describe organisms and ecosystems and account for simultaneous effects of multiple stressors.
Content and Objectives
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This 1-week course offers fundamental concepts and knowledge for constructing dynamic models of marine organisms and ecosystems.
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Participants will engage in theoretical and practical lectures to learn about selecting model constituents, external variables, processes, and interrelationships among model components.
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The course aims to teach participants how to mathematically translate modelled systems and code them in suitable software.
Types of Models and Applications
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The course will present and elucidate various model types, encompassing population dynamics, hydrodynamic models, spatial models, and their practical applications.
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A specific focus of this edition will be on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models, with 2 days of dedicated lectures delivered by Gonçalo Marques from IST, University of Lisbon.
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DEB is a theoretical framework in Ecology, offering a comprehensive quantitative description of organisms' energy budgets across their life cycles (Kooijman, 2001).
Practical Sessions
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Participants will have hands-on experience with a modelling software (STELLA by Isee Systems) during practical sessions.
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Additionally, attendees will be encouraged to create a conceptual diagram of a model aligned with their research interests.
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Lecturers will provide feedback and constructive advice for the development and future implementation of these conceptual models.
program in brief
Day 1
19 Feb
Theoretical: Features and applications of different types of models: population dynamics, IBM/ABM, bioenergetics, food web models.
Practical: Translating processes mathematically using STELLA. Initialising and running a model. Simple exercises with STELLA.
Day 3
21 Feb
Theoretical: DEB models implementation and practical examples.
Practical: Implementing a DEB model. Simulations and evaluating results. Proceed with conceptual diagram development.
Day 5
23 Feb
Theoretical: How to develop an ecological model: basic concepts, model constituents, basic processes. Model implementation and practical examples.
Practical: Defining and drawing a conceptual diagram. Model’s initial values, units, domain, and borders. Simple exercises with STELLA.
Day 2
20 Feb
Theoretical: Basic concepts of the DEB theory.
Practical: Simple exercises in STELLA using DEB concepts. Brainstorming about a conceptual diagram of a future model.
Day 4
22 Feb
Theoretical: Linking ecological models with other numerical models. The cases of ocean circulation and dispersion models, and spatial models.
Practical: Presentation and discussion of conceptual diagrams and future model developments.
Lecturers
Irene Martins
PhD, Principal Researcher MEMO team, CIIMAR
Alexandra Guerra
MSc Researcher, MEMO team, CIIMAR
Isabel Iglesias
PhD, Assistant Researcher LOAI team, CIIMAR
Fabíola Amorim
PhD Researcher LOAI team, CIIMAR
invited Lecturers
Gonçalo Marques
Invited Assistant Professor, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon
Cândida Gomes Vale
PhD Researcher CIBIO, University of Porto
RegistratiON
02.
Send proof of payment to imartins@ciimar.up.pt
Registrations will only be considered with the proof of payment.
03.
In case of non-comparence, registration fees will not be reimbursed
Get in Touch
Irene Martins