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Lecturer(s)
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Boukal David, prof. Ing. MgA. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: Basic principles of ecological modelling, brief overview of software. / Population and evolutionary dynamics I: matrix models analysis, stochastic effects, applications in nature conservation and pest management, life history evolution (R package popbio). / Population and evolutionary dynamics II: continuous models, food webs (deSolve). / Models and experiments: data fitting, process and observation errors (emdbook). / Intraspecific and spatial variability: metapopulations, optimal behaviour, agent-based models (simecol). / Advanced visualisation of model simulations (ggplot2). Content of practicals: Lectures and practicals overlap. During practicals, students will be given tasks to practice the procedures and approaches presented in the lectures.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies), Project-based learning
- Preparation for classes
- 30 hours per semester
- Class attendance
- 48 hours per semester
- Preparation for exam
- 40 hours per semester
- Semestral paper
- 60 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course presents key principles and approaches to process-based modelling in population, behavioural and evolutionary ecology, using examples in R. The aim is to provide students with practical skills for their own work.
Students will gain skills and knowledge required to solve selected ecological problems in R and present the results in a manuscript.
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of ecology and basic experience with the R software. Prerequisites - recommended - Ekologie KBE 022, Introduction to modern regression methods or Modern regression methods KBE 785, Data Visualisation KBE 782
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Analysis of student's work activities (technical works), Seminar work
To pass, students must provide a working R code solving a selected problem and summarize the results in a manuscript-like format (recommended length: 4-8 A4 pages).
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Recommended literature
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B.M. Bolker (2008) Ecological models and data in R. Princeton..
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R. Hilborn, M. Mangel (1997) Ecological detective: confronting models with data. Princeton..
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V. Grimm, S.F. Railsback (2005) Individual based modeling and ecology. Princeton..
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