Ecological Statistics

ES 2026-2027

Engels

Beschrijving

Ecological statistics bridges ecological theory, research design, and empirical data. In this short course, participants learn how to (1) translate ecological questions into testable hypotheses, (2) select appropriate analysis methods, and (3) correctly interpret statistical output. The course offers a conceptual introduction to core topics in ecological statistics, emphasizing regression analysis, community analyses (including bipartite network approaches), and model selection. The focus is on methodological thinking: from research question formulation and experimental or observational design to statistical inference and ecological interpretation.

Target audience

Recent graduates, teachers, PhD students, adults interested in statistics.

Content

Diversity
- Alpha, beta, gamma diversity
- Species richness
- Species evenness
- Species diversity
Community interaction networks
- Metrics (modularity, H2’, d’i, robustness to extinction)
- Qualitative versus quantitative networks
Fieldwork design
- The importance of standardization
- Number of replicates needed
Variables
- Categorical versus continuous
- Dependent versus independent
- Selecting the appropriate statistical method
Managing, curating, and transforming data
- Data quality: importance of correctness of data
- Detecting outliers and errors
- Residuals distribution, Cook's distance, etc.
- Normally distributed? Overdispersion?
Regression analysis modeling
- Random factors? Distribution (Gaussian, Poisson, Binomial, Negative binomial)?
- Linear model
- General linear model
- General linear mixed model, linear mixed-effects model
Model selection and interpretation
- Model selection criteria
- Interpretation and reporting of results

Course prerequisites

The course is open to all interested persons.

Exam / Certificate

There is no exam connected to this module. If you attend all four classes you will receive a certificate of attendance via e-mail at the end of the course.

Type of course

This is an on campus course. We offer blended learning options if, exceptionally, you can't attend a session on campus.

Schedule

Monday April 26th
Tuesday April 27th
Wednesday April 28th

Monday May 10th
Tuesday May 11th
Wednesday May 12th

from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Venue

Faculty of Science, campus Ledeganck, K.L.Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, ( entrance GUM, 1 st Floor)

Teachers

Dr. Danny Haelewaters
Dr. Frederik De Wint

Textbooks

• Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2002) Model Selection and Multimodel Inference. A Practical Information–Theoretic Approach. Springer, New York, USA. 488 pp. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/b97636
• Gotelli NJ & Ellison AM (2018) A Primer of Ecological Statistics. Second Edition. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA. 614 pp. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-primer-of-ecological-statistics-9781605350646
PDFs of book chapters will be provided for assigned readings. Some copies of these books are available for consultation from the lecturers.

Fees

The participation fee is 780 EUR for participants from the private sector. Reduced prices apply to students and staff from non-profit, social profit, and government organizations.

Industry, private sector, profession*: € 780
Non profit, government, higher education staff, (Doctoral) students, unemployed: € 390

*If two or more employees from the same company enrol simultaneously for this course a reduction of 20% on the course fee is taken into account starting from the second enrolment.

Registration

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UGent PhD students

Doctoral School pays for your course on the condition that you sign the attendance list for each lesson. If you are absent, please notify our academy in advance by email and provide the necessary documents.

By registering for a course or event organized by the Science Academy, you agree to the cancellation procedure that you can find on our website.