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Training Course - An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling In The Marine Environment, Glasgow, 20th - 21st August 2015
A preliminary course timetable and content can be downloaded by clicking here. Species distribution modelling (also known as habitat modelling, predictive habitat modelling, ecological niche modelling, habitat suitability modelling and essential habitat modelling) is becoming increasingly widely used in marine biology. This course aims to provide an introduction to the concept and practical application of species distribution modelling (SDM) in the marine environment, and how to integrate species distribution modelling with GIS. This includes selection of environmental variables, the creation of raster data layers of environmental variables in a GIS-based environment, processing survey data in GIS, creating spatial visualisations and predictions from SDMs, and validating the predictive ability of SDMs. The practical sessions will involve working through a complete SDM project using an existing data set from start to finish, including creating an SDM using Generalised Additive Modelling (GAM). This means you do not need have your own data to attend. The practical sessions will be conducted in ArcGIS and R (but no prior experience with R is required). NOTE: When you attend this course you will receive a free copy of An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook Three - Integrating GIS And Species Distribution Modelling as the practical exercises in that course are based on the ones contained in that book. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 15 people. The course will cost £295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, contact info@GISinEcology.com. At the end of the course, all attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and completion. Each certificate is embossed with the GIS In Ecology official stamp to prevent its fraudulent reproduction. In addition, each certificate has its own unique identification number that we will record, along with your name, meaning that we can verify the authenticity of the certificates we issue (and the course you have completed) on request. Note: While some statistical analysis will be conducted during this course, this is not statistical training course. Instead, its aim is to teach about all the other aspects associated with conducting a species distribution modelling project, from data collection through to visualising and validating the predictive ability of an SDM. This is because learning how to do statistical analyses correctly requires an entire course of its own. In addition, these subjects are not usually covered when learning about statistical modelling, but are just as essential if an SDM project is to be successfully completed. To attend this course, you must bring your own laptop computer and have a fully licensed copy of ArcGIS software (the course will primarily be taught based on ArcGIS 10.3, but ArcGIS 10.2, 10.1, 10.0 and 9.3 will also be supported), and a licence for the ArGIS Spatial Analyst extension pre-installed on it. You can find information about how to get this software package by clicking here. In addition, you will also need to have spreadsheet software, such as Excel, on your computer. You will also need a working copy of the free statistical software package called R. This can be downloaded from here. Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four hours. The course will be held in central Glasgow at the IET Glasgow Teacher Building (14 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DB, UK - click here for information on how to get there and on parking if you are coming by car). Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets. Information on hotels in Glasgow can be found here and while information on hostels can be found here. As a general rule, if you can find accommodation near the venue or one of Glasgow’s Subway stations (click here to see where these stations are located), you will be able to get to the venue very easily. |
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