Learning outcomes

Understanding of how biological interactions (within and between species) influence the way environmental variables affect populations, communities, and ecosystems.


Ability to use an ecological model to assess environmental effects on populations and communities.


Interpretation of modeling results and synthesis of effects.


Soft skills: teamwork, project management; communication in French and English.

Goals

To teach students how to calculate the effects of an environmental variable on populations and communities

Content

The course addresses the question of what explains the biodiversity and productivity of an ecosystem, what role species interactions play, and how environmental factors influence this diversity. After the theoretical lectures, students are introduced to continuous-time models. They are then invited to use these tools to solve one or more problems. These tools are based on:


  • The use of RStudio to build models that allow simulations;
  • More mathematical approaches to study systems analytically.


Table of contents

The following topics refer to sections of Otto & Day (2007), A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution (Princeton University Press).


Population dynamics without species interactions

a. Models: 5.1

b. Equilibria: 5.2; 5.2.1, 5.2.3

c. Stability: 5.3; 5.3.1; 5.4; 5.4.1


Population dynamics with species interactions

a. Linear models: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3

b. Nonlinear models: 8.1, 8.2 (but use the predator–prey model, p. 307)

c. Many-species Lotka–Volterra; equilibrium as a matrix inverse

d. Models extended with environmental effects

e. Introduction to the central question: effects of environmental drivers on richness and evenness (B), and on total biomass (EF)


Exercices

Application of ecological models to quantify environmental effects: at the population and community levels. Students will be given one or more problems. They will apply the techniques covered in the theoretical course to solve these problem(s).

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra


Question-and-answer sessions. During these sessions, students present their results and the main problems hindering their progress. The teaching staff encourages students to look for solutions to these problems.


Group work (project work).


Coding in R

Assessment method

Continuous assessment. Evaluation based on a final group report (40%) and an oral defense of this report (60%)

Sources, references and any support material

Slides


Models coded in R


Otto and Day. A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution. Princeton, 2007.


All these materials can be found on WebCampus

Language of instruction

English