2016 COURSE ON SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS MODELLING

The 3rd edition of the course “Species distributions models: concepts, methods, applications, and challenges”, occurring between July 4 and 10, 2016, in Évora, Portugal purposes to introduce the fundamental concepts underpinning ecological niche models (ENM), describing some of the most prominent methods currently in use, and discussing the strengths and limitations of these models for different applications. The course gives equal weight to theory and application. The students will have the opportunity to learn how to run ENM with the new SDM R platform (Naimi &Araújo, 2016, Ecography) and they will be asked to bring their own data (if such data are not available we can provide our own data).
During one day the students will analyse their data and prepare a small report for discussion in the class.
The proposed course is the third after a first edition conducted at the Imperial College London (2014) and a second edition at Science Retreats in Évora (2015). It also builds on slightly shorter courses developed by Miguel Araújo at the University of Copenhagen and the Estación Biologica de Doñana (CSIC).

Dates and logistics:

The course will take place in the historical city of Évora, in Portugal, between the 4th and the 10th of July 2016.

Application deadline:
April 8, 2016

Course Objectives:

In the end of the course, the students to be equipped to:
1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of ecological niche models
2. Understand the strengths and limitations of ecological niche models for different uses
3. Correctly design an ecological niche modelling study for a variety of uses
4. Get started with ecological niche modelling using SDM R.

For more information, including the full programme, click here, or contact us at cibioue@uevora.pt.