A synthesis of statistical and mechanistic modeling approaches. Ludwig, D. 1996. Uncertainty and the assessment of extinction probabilities. Models can be used to evaluate hypotheses, design experiments, probe ecological complexity, and confront uncertainty. When skillfully combined with data, models can be essential to answering ecological questions.
Models intimidate most fledgling ecologists, however.
This seminar will provide answers to these and related questions. The seminar format will consist of discussion of the assigned readings. Each class meeting will be led by two discussion leaders, with two alternates prepared to lead should one or both leaders succumb to illness, etc. The supplementary journal articles are in a course binder in the Huxley Library, ES 545. If the herring analysis is not submitted, the course grade will be an incomplete.