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Modelling Aquatic Ecosystems
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:36:54
Abstract
Knowledge about processes in aquatic ecosystems will be compiled to mathematical models of such systems. This integration of knowledge stimulates understanding across disciplines and makes it possible to evaluate hypotheses. The participants will be confronted with ecosystem models of increasing complexity und apply them practically based on an implementation in R.
Objective
Students are able to - describe the most important biological, biochemical, chemical and physical processes in aquatic ecosystems in the form of mathematical models; - recognise and explain the interaction of processes in aquatic ecosystems and estimate the resulting behaviour of the entire system; - mathematically describe important sources of stochasticity and uncertainty in model predictions and quantify their influence on model results; - formulate models of aquatic ecosystems, implement them in a programming environment and use them to address problems in practice.
Content
Basic concepts: Principles of modelling environmental systems, formulation of mass balance equations, formulation of transformation processes. Formulation of ecosystems processes: Physical processes (transport and mixing, sedimentation, gas exchange, detachment and resuspension), chemical processes (chemical equilibria, sorption), biological processes (primary production, respiration, death, consumption, mineralization, nitrification, hydrolysis, bacterial growth, colonization). Consideration of Stochasticity and Uncertainty Sources, description, and propagation of stochasticity and uncertainty Didactic models of aquatic ecosystems: Lake phytoplankton model, lake phyto- and zooplankton model, two box oxygen and phosphorus lake model, model of biogeochemical cycles in a lake, oxygen and nutrient household model of a river, benthic population model of a river. Research models of aquatic ecosystems: Research lake models, research river models. Exercises implementing and practicing the application of the didactic models using libraries of the program package for statistical computing and graphics R ( http://www.r-project.org ).
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 24
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Modelling Aquatic Ecosystems |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Biogeochemistry (The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Specialization in Biogeochemistry: 701-0225-00L Organic Chemistry (Autumn semester) 752-0100-00L Biochemie (Autumn semester) 752-1300-00L Introduction to Toxicology (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)
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