Mathematical modelling is an essential tool in present-day ecological
research. Yet for many ecologists it is still problematic to apply
modelling in their research. In our experience, the major problem is at
the conceptual level: proper understanding of what a model is, how
ecological relations can be translated consistently into mathematical
equations, how models are solved, steady states calculated and
interpreted. Many textbooks jump over these conceptual hurdles to dive
into detailed formulations or the mathematics of solution. This book
attempts to fill that gap. It introduces essential concepts for
mathematical modelling, explains the mathematics behind the methods, and
helps readers to implement models and obtain hands-on experience.
Throughout the book, emphasis is laid on how to translate ecological
questions into interpretable models in a practical way.
The book aims to be an introductory textbook at the
undergraduate-graduate level, but will also be useful to seduce
experienced ecologists into the world of modelling. The range of
ecological models treated is wide, from Lotka-Volterra type of
principle-seeking models to environmental or ecosystem models, and
including matrix models, lattice models and sequential decision models.
All chapters contain a concise introduction into the theory, worked-out
examples and exercises. All examples are implemented in the open-source
package R, thus taking away problems of software availability for use of
the book. All code used in the book is available on a dedicated website.
