In this course, the principles of individual-based modelling will be presented. In Ecology many patterns at the population or community level emerge from processes, variability and interactions at the individual scale. Therefore it is increasingly acknowledged that the basic entities in many ecological models should be individuals. This is the aim of individual-based modelling (or agent-based models).

The instructors will introduce participants to NetLogo, a development environment and a domain-specific computer language for individual-based modelling. In  lectures, instructors will explain techniques to develop, analyse, test and document individual based simulation models. Hands on session will familiarise  participants with the concepts: In small groups they will develop, implement and analyse an individual-based model to answer an ecological question. Questions  will be suggested by the instructors and will comprise applied (e.g. sustainable forestry) and theoretical topics. Every group will present their project and  their experiences at the end of the course in a short presentation. After the course the participants will be able to implement and analyse simple models in  NetLogo.