Theoretical Ecology workshops

This school and workshop joins physics, applied mathematics and ecology to understand ecological dynamics and biodiversity across scales. Students learn to connect empirical data with individual-based models, differential equations, stochastic dynamics and complex interaction networks. The curriculum addresses marine species fluctuations, metapopulations, microbial ecology, animal movement, spatial scaling of plant communities, habitat fragmentation and evolutionary rescue. The January 23–24 workshop includes invited and contributed talks, posters, and discussion of theoretical ecology's future in South America. Master's and doctoral students are the principal school audience; advanced undergraduates and postdoctoral researchers may also apply. There is no registration fee, and limited travel and local support is available. School applications closed on 25 October 2026; the workshop application deadline is 20 November 2026.

Build and evaluate short-term ecological forecasts by repeatedly linking observations, models and predictions. A biodiversity challenge uses shrub, rabbit and dung-beetle data from Doñana with remote-sensing measurements. Participants process time series and satellite indices, compare autoregressive, hierarchical, correlational and mechanistic models, propagate uncertainty and assess forecasts against benchmarks. Reproducible R workflows lead to a submitted forecast and discussion of how predictions support conservation and adaptive management. Live sessions: 25–29 January, 14:00–18:30 daily, Europe/Madrid (CET, UTC+01:00). Total 27.5 hours: 22.5 live plus five independent. English-language live online course; Fee €236 until 30 November, then €290; Ambassador rates €188.80/€232. VAT included. Capacity: 25. Basic R and an ecology or environmental-science background are required; forecasting experience is unnecessary. Registration requires acceptance; payment follows confirmation. Recordings are provided, but live attendance is required for a certificate.

Build and evaluate correlative species-distribution and ecological-niche models with R. The course connects niche theory with occurrence-data quality, environmental predictors, model fitting and validation, then examines spatial and temporal projections and their limitations. Participants learn to recognize common modelling pitfalls, automate reproducible analyses and apply workflows to example or personal species datasets. 2027-02-01–2027-02-05, 15:00–18:00 daily, Europe/Berlin (CET, UTC+01:00). Online course; fee €480. Basic R knowledge is strongly recommended. Live classes are complemented by about four hours of independent work daily and annotated scripts, with remote support available between 09:00 and 23:00 Berlin time.