• Syllabus/Schedule

• Basic Concepts in Ecological Modeling

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: pages v-xi, 1-27
• System Dynamics & STELLA
• Getting started with STELLA

• Basic Concepts in Ecological Modeling

• Dynamic Modeling with STELLA

• Try to run before you learn to walk:
• Build a simple model of population growth in Phoenix

• Lecture notes 
• Texbook: pages 1-27
• Getting started with STELLA
• The story behind SD and STELLA

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase I: Conceptual model development

• Lecture notes 
• Modelling Dynamic Systems using STELLA (Bk Rev)
• Wu, J. and Y. Barlas.  1989.  Simulating the dynamics of natural populations using the System Dynamics approach. Proc. Soc. Computer Simulation International. pp.6-11.

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase I: Conceptual model development(continued)
• Using STELLA to create conceptual models

• Lecture notes
• Dale, M. B. 1970. Systems Analysis and Ecology. Ecology 51:2-16.
• Wu, J. and D. Marceau. 2002. Modeling complex ecological systems: An introduction. Ecological Modelling 153:1-6.

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase II: Quantitative model formulation

• Homework assignment#1

• Lecture notes
• Textbook: pages 28-38
• Wiegert, R. G. 1975. Simulation Models of Ecosystems. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 6:311-338.

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase II: Quantitative model formulation

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapters 3-4

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase III: Model Evaluation

• Mid-Term Exam (Oct. 10)

• Lecture notes 
• Orzack, S. H. and E. Sober. 1993. A critical assessment of Levins's The strategy of model building in population biology (1966). Quarterly Review of Biology 68(4):533-546.
• Levins, R. 1993. A response to Orzack and Sober: Formal analysis and the fluidity of science. Quarterly Review of Biology 68:547-555.

• Four Phases in Modeling Building:

• Phase III: Model Evaluation (continued)
• Phase IV: Model Application

• Lecture notes 
• Rykiel, Jr., E. J. 1996. Testing ecological models: the meaning of validation. Ecological Modelling 90:229-244.

• Generic Modules for Building Dynamic Models

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapters 21, 23 & 30

Understanding the Mathematics Behind Models

• ODEs, PDEs, FDEs, Matrix
• Relating Math Equations to STELLA

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapter 15 
• Wu, J. and J. L. Vankat.  1991a.  An area-based model of species richness dynamics of forest islands.  Ecological Modelling  58:249-271.

• Kaesha (Oct. 31): Chapter 15 - Odor-sensing model

• Numerical Methods in Simulation Modeling
• Background
• Euler's method
• Runge-Kutta methods 

• Homework assignment#2

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapters 20, 33, 36

• Verma Miera (Nov . 5): Chapter 20 - Infectious diseases

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• Laura Becht (Nov. 7): Chapter 36 - Spatial dynamics of predator-prey interactions

Modeling Different Ecological Processes

• Selected ecological models
• Notes on ecosystem models
• Notes on chaos

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapters 6, 7, & 8

• Matt Barry (Nov. 12): N cycling (part of CENTURY)

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• Marea Baggetta (Nov 14): H & R Chapter 19 - The optimum plant

Modeling Different Ecological Processes

• Selected ecological models
• Individual-based models
  

 

• Lecture notes
• Textbook: Chapters 37 & 38 

• Wendy Marussich (Nov. 19): A model of mutualism

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• Andrea Jani(Nov. 21): H & R Chapter 33 - Herbivore-Algae Predator-Prey Model
• Jian Zhang (Oct. 21): H & R Chapter 42 - Daisy World

Modeling Different Ecological Processes

• Selected ecological models

• Lecture notes 
• Textbook: Chapters 32, 39 & 41

• Jere Boudell (Nov. 26): Seedbank patch dynamics
• Alexander Buyantuyev (Nov. 26): Wildlife management: Effects of habitat fragmentation on the management of endangered animal species" (Grant et al. 1997)

Modeling Different Ecological Processes

• Selected ecological models

• Lecture notes
• Wu, Jianguo and J. L. David. A spatially explicit hierarchical approach to modeling complex ecological systems: Theory and applications. Ecological Modelling 153: 7-26.

• Mark Dixon (Dec. 03): Raparian vegetation modeling
• Wenjun Shen (Dec. 03): Ecosystem modeling