Ecosystem Modeling with Ecopath with EcosimCredit Value 3 credits Schedule |
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Description
The course is focused on how ecosystem modelling, notably the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modelling framework (www.ecopath.org) can be used to address scientific questions as part of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). Underlying theories will be introduced, but emphasis will be on hands-on with actual implementation.
The course will take place over a three-week period in May (11-29) with classes daily from 9-12. In total, there will be 14 days of classes. The course has been drastically restructured compared to previous years, with the following plan:
- Week 1: Introduction to EwE, including Ecopath mass-balance modelling, Ecosim time-dynamic modelling, Ecospace temporal-spatial dynamic modelling, and value chain modelling to evaluate social, economic and ecological trade-offs.
- Week 2: Working with research and policy questions related to fisheries management and EBM. We will work on a new question each day.
- Week 3: Work on your own research/policy question.
As the course is intensive and every day, there will not be any assignments but you’ll be asked to give a presentation of your model, and prepare a brief write-up of it.
Textbook
We will use the open textbook “Ecosystem Modelling with EwE” for the course: https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/ewemodel/
You are expected to prepare by reading the materials listed in the course schedule before classes, notably the first week. The course schedule is at the course website.
The FISH 501 class in 2021 had a large number of guest lectures, and the entire course was held on Zoom and recorded. The recordings are available at the Ecopath YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EcopathwithEcosim.
Software
Visit www.ecopath.org for information on Ecopath with Ecosim. We will initially be using the latest EwE6.7 release for the course, please download it from www.ecopath.org.
EwE is a free, open source program, and it (still) requires Microsoft Windows as operating system. On Macs/Linux machines it is necessary to use a virtualization software and to install Windows (any more recent version is fine). There are several virtualization software packages that can be used, including open source ones (i.e. free versions). Oracle’s free VirtualBox may works, but Paralells Desktop is much better and simpler to work with and it is the only option if you have a Macs with Apple M-chips. It can be purchased with 50% educational discount at https://www.parallels.com/plans/education. There’s a free 14 days trial.
Please sort this out before the course, or discuss with instructor, Dr. Villy Christensen.
We are working on a systems-independent (for PC, Mac & Linux) version of EwE, (EwE7), but still need to secure funding for this.
Course website
The course website is at: https://sites.google.com/view/fish501-2026
Instructor:
Dr. Villy Christensen