Statistical Inference in Ecology

Mathematics, and in particular statistical inference, take an ever increasing role in ecology. Statistical inference is necessary to test various theories (or to compare the validity of contrasting theories) using empirical data, to complete missing data, or to estimate parameters that are particularly relevant to ecology and evolution.

The projects “Statistical Inference in Ecology” introduce the field of statistical inference in ecology through the study of questions addressed in recently published scientific papers. These case studies will illustrate the applications in ecology and evolutionary biology of statistical hypotheses testing, parametric and non-parametric estimation, likelihood approaches, Bayesian inference, and Monte Carlo methods. Solving these problems will involve modelling and analysis of ecological datasets. The topics addressed will include:

• How many insect species are there on Earth?
• How can we estimate microbial biodiversity?
• How do trees coexist in tropical forests?
• Can we explain complex species’ interaction networks with simple rules?
• How do species’ evolutionary histories influence their assembly into ecological communities?
• Is the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction responsible for the radiation of present-day mammals?
• Does self-compatibility facilitate or hinder the diversification of flowering plants?
• Why are there so many species in the tropics?

Last Modification : Friday 23 March 2012