By Allan Roberts
On 14 November 2013, Easton White, a visiting Fulbright Scholar at the University of Victoria working with the Baum Lab, led a workshop on implementing ecological population models. As examples of mathematical models in biology, Easton talked about some of his research, which has covered a wide range of biological systems, including work on pikas (Ochotona princeps), in California, and lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) in the Bahamas.
Easton provided background on the theory and applications of mathematical models in biology, and then guided participants through the implementation of population models. Examples included the simulation of demographic and environmental variability, and a model for meta-population dynamics.
There were 18 participants, including graduate students, undergrads, and others. Participants came from fields of biology, environmental studies, and geography. Some of their research interests included benthic ecology, fresh water ecology, marine-terrestrial interactions, seaweeds, and marine genetics.
This workshop was part of a series that provides graduate students, undergrads, and staff at the University of Victoria with skills that are applicable to research, academic courses, and employment in the ocean sciences and related disciplines. These workshops are organized by the Learning Team at Ocean Networks Canada, in cooperation with Ecostats, a subgroup of Ecology@UVic, which is a network of researchers at the University of Victoria, including those in Biology, Geography, Environmental Studies, and the Earth and Ocean Sciences. Related articles about past workshops.
