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Structure and Dynamics of Ecological Systems

Vak
2013-2014

Tag(s)

[BSc], S

Admission Requirements

Mathematical Modelling Fundamentals.

Description

Ecosystems are complex systems that contain many different species, with different types of interactions. Also, there are material and energy flows through the system, that are related to these interactions. Because of this complexity, mathematical models have been applied to study ecosystem dynamics already for a long time. With new technological development, these models become more and more complex. It is important to be aware, though, of their fundamental building blocks, and some basic features of ecosystem dynamics, before going into the more complex models. This
course will follow such a build-up, starting with relatively simple models and their main results, and then generalizing to more complex models and dynamics. Some of the subjects that we will consider are food webs, development of ecosystems, and causes and effects of biodiversity in ecosystems.

Course Objectives

The course provides you with background knowledge of models and their use in studying ecosystems. Furthermore, you will gain proficiency in:

  • The use of numerical and analytical modelling tools

  • Design, adjustment, and refinement of models;

  • Model analysis, and derivation of predictions based on the results;

  • Critical model evaluation.

Mode of Instruction

Sessions will consist of short lectures, student presentations, and in-class assignments. Class sample assignments will be used to illustrate and practice modelling design, analysis, and evaluation. The work mode will vary, from working individually, in pairs, or in groups, to whole-class collaboration. You will be required to prepare presentations and write short reports throughout the course.

Assessment

To be confirmed in course syllabus:

Presentations & discussions: 20%
Portfolio of results of weekly assignments: 50%
Written exam: 30%

Literature

Required (please order well in advance)
Mathematical Ecology of Populations and Ecosystems
John Pastor 2008
Wiley-Blackwell
Paperback version

ISBN10: 1405177950
ISBN13: 9781405177955

Contact Information

e-mail p.haccou@luc.leidenuniv.nl

Weekly Overview

Week1:introduction;
Week 2: population dynamics;
Week 3: interactions and food webs;
Week 4: inorganic resources ;
Week 5: litter and nutrient cycling;
Week 6: stochiometry ;
Week 7: spatiotemporal dynamics;
Week 8: exam.

Preparation for first session

Go to http://cran.r-project.org/
Install R on your laptop according to the instructions given there

On that same website, go to Documentation and
Download and study ‘R for beginners’ (under: contributed)
Download and glance through the manual ‘An introduction to R’ (under: manuals)

Got to http://www.rstudio.org/
Install Rstudio on your laptop according to the instructions given there and look through the documentation on how to use it.

Read through part 1 of the study book (i.e. chapters 1 and 2).