Ecological research

Ecology is about all the factors that can influence organisms’ distribution and abundance. Based on this, ecological research studies ecosystems at multiple levels, from the relationship of individuals to their environment, via interactions between species to the functioning of entire ecosystems.

Among the important knowledge produced is how changes in the environment affect ecological systems and the ecosystem services they contribute, as well as how to best manage our biological resources for future generations. Ecological research often relies on field studies, but mathematics and statistics are important tools that are frequently used in ecological research.

This is Ecological modelling

Sometimes ethical or practical considerations, such as high cost, can make it difficult or even impossible to carry out ecological studies in the real world.

In these situations, mathematical models can offer a solution. Ecological models are built on existing theories and knowledge using real ecological data. If the model correctly describes the system, one can analyse the most important components and processes of an ecosystem and so learn more about how the system works in general.

More importantly, a model can be used to simulate various scenarios and predict what is likely to happen in any given scenario. In that way, ecological modelling can be used to study the effect of ways of managing nature: for example, what might happen if a biological resource is used in a certain way. In other situations, large amounts of data collected from field or laboratory studies (e.g. environmental DNA) may need statistics and powerful computer algorithms to be analyzed.

In the Ecological modelling group at the University of Skövde we combine mathematical models, computer simulations and statistics with field studies and molecular methods to study various environmental problems (e.g. threats to biodiversity due to a range of human activities). More specifically, we focus on human impact on nature, how we can preserve biological diversity and how Earth’s biological resources could be used more sustainably.

Contributing to increased knowledge

Our research interests also include topics like sustainable fishing in the Baltic Sea, endangered fish stocks in Sweden's great lakes, the risk of infection spread in domestic livestock and the sensitivity of food webs to disturbance.

Human beings and society depend on healthy, sustainable ecosystems via the ecosystem services they provide. However, we overuse biological resources and as a consequence negatively affect these ecosystem services in uncountable ways.

Research at the University of Skövde contributes to increased knowledge about ecosystems, including their sustainable management, while providing decision support for the conservation of biological diversity.