Environmental Systems Analysis

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.
 

The aims of the course are:

• to understand the effects of (spatial) processes on ecosystem structure and dynamics;
• to be able to model (spatial) processes in ecosystems and other environmental systems;
• to critically evaluate those (spatial) models.

Furthermore, you will obtain basic skills in programming with Python, with a particular focus on spatial ecosystem modelling. You will learn how to (further) develop a model and report on its analysis.

You will learn how to decompose environmental systems into specific components, and learn how to model interactions between these components. We will focus on general principles involved in this systems analysis and we will discuss effective procedures to determine the relative importance of different processes operating within the system. This is imperative to comprehend the effects that humans have on ecosystems and landscape structure and functioning. 
 
The course consists of the following parts: