Workshops
Workshops will take place on Wednesday, 29th of April.
Participation is free of charge for all conference attendees, though space is limited. You can select the workshops during the registration process.
1. Physiological species distribution modelling using the TTR-SDM - an introduction
By Prof. Dr. Steven Higgins
Process-based species distribution models are appealing, not least because they make ecologically plausible extrapolations into novel data ranges. However, process-based models are more challenging to fit than correlative models and are not widely available as software, which limits their broader application by species distribution modelers. This workshop demonstrates the use of the TTR-SDM, a physiological species distribution model for plants. We further discuss the key conceptual differences between correlative and process-based SDMs and provide workshops participants with the necessary skills to apply the TTR-SDM in their own research. Participants should already be familiar with R and need to bring a computer with an up to date installation of R
2. Addressing macro-ecological questions with mixed-effect models
By Dr. Gregor Mathes
Mixed-effect models are powerful tools for analyzing structured and hierarchical ecological data, allowing researchers to account for random variation among groups, repeated measurements, or spatial and temporal dependencies. Despite their wide applicability, correctly specifying, fitting, and interpreting mixed-effect models can be challenging, particularly when dealing with complex data structures or model diagnostics. This workshop provides an applied introduction to linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models using the R packages lme4 and DHARMa. We will cover key concepts such as fixed vs. random effects, model formulation, estimation, and interpretation, and we will work through hands-on ecological examples. Participants will gain the skills needed to fit, evaluate, and report mixed-effect models in their own research. Basic familiarity with R is required, and participants should bring a laptop with an up-to-date installation of R.