Study Programmes 2015-2016
OCEA0057-6  
Marine Ecology, Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
Duration :
15h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)3
Lecturer :
Marilaure Grégoire
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
CHAPTER 1 Introduction

  • What is a model?
  • Why do we need models?
CHAPTER 2 Model formulation

  • Conceptual model
  • Mathematical model formulation
  • Formulation of ecological interactions
  • Chemical reactions
  • Inhibition
  • Coupled model equations
  • Impact of physical conditions
CHAPTER 3 Spatial components

  • Taonomy of spatial models
  • Spatial boundary conditions
  • Example: competitive interactions in a lattice model
CHAPTER 4 Parameterisation

  • In situ measurement
  • Literature-Derived parameters
  • Calib_ters.43
CHAPTER 5 Model solution

  • Initial conditions
  • Analytical solutions of differential equations
  • Numerical solution of differential equations
  • Steady-state and stability analysis
CHAPTER 6 Testing and validating the model

  • Dimensional homogeneity and consistency of units
  • Conservation of energy and mass
  • Testing the correctness of the model solution
  • Testing the internal logic of the model
  • Model verification
  • Model validity
  • Model sensitivity
  • Example_74
  • Example of the conservation principle: a mass budget of a marine bay
CHAPTER 7 Taxonomy of ecological models

  • Strategic versus tactic models
  • Continuous and discrete time models
  • Deterministic and stochastic models
  • Density-biomass specific models
  • Physiological - individual-based - population - ecosystem models
  • Example: growth of a Daphnia individual
CHAPTER 8 Appendices

  • Taxonomy of differential equations
  • Solving difference equations
CHAPTER 9 Books for further reading
Learning outcomes of the course :
The main aim of this course is to learn how to conceptualize, parameterize and implement mathematical models of marine biogeochemical processes
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
None. The mathematics used will be quiet elementary
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The half part of the time will be devoted to the implementation of very simple examples in order to get familliar with models implementation
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
1.5 ECTS : theory
1.5 ECTS : Exercises
Recommended or required readings :
Available
Assessment methods and criteria :
Evaluated practicle work
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
None
Contacts :
Marilaure Grégoire, Laboratoire d'Océanologie, ULg
e-mail : mgregoire@ulg.ac.be
tel : 043663354