Theorical perspectives on biodiversity and biogeography

Biogeography gives the framework to describe life on Earth. The diversity of life on Earth (biodiversity) exhibits spatial and temporal patterns that beg for theoretical models for their description. This five day course reviews several theoretical approaches describing patterns of species richness and species abundance. We will give emphasis to the development and careful interpretation of the mathematical formulae and their relationship with the biological phenomena they describe.The objective of this course is to make its participants familiar with theoretical approaches in ecology, being able to understand their foundations and rationales, as well as their limitations, and whenever possible demystify the use of mathematics in ecology. After this course we hope the attendants would be gain a new appreciation for the role of theoretical models in ecology, with a view to being able to follow recent advancements in and contribute to theoretical ecology.

PROGRAMME

Biogeography: A brief historical account
Distribution of species: Spatial and temporal patterns
Measures of Biodiversity
Source-sink dynamics
Metapopulations
The theory of Island biogeography
The neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography

SCHEDULE

Day 1

9:45-13:00 | Spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity
14:00-17:45 | An introduction to programming using R

Day 2

9:45-13:00 | Measures of biodiversity
14:00-17:45 | Practical exercises using R

Day 3

9:45-13:00 | Source-sink dynamics and Metapopulations
14:00-17:45 | Practical exercises using R

Day 4

9:45-13:00 | The theory of Island biogeography
14:00-17:45 | Practical exercises using R

Day 5

9:45-13:00 | The neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography
14:00-17:45 | CIBIO Seminar

COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Luís Borda de Água | CIBIO/INBIO | THEOECO
 

INTENDED AUDIENCE
The course will be open to a maximum number of 25 participants.

SELECTION CRITERIA
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.

REGISTRATION
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV students | 80 € (students) | 150 € (other participants). CIBIO-InBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.

Registration deadline: November 2, 2020
All applicants will be notify about whether they are accept until November 06, 2020

 Please note that new rules apply for all BIODIV students.