Courses open for registration

This is a refresher course. The level is that of a second course in Statistics. We will refresh basic knowledge of Probability, Statistical Inference (Estimation and Testing), t-tests, simple cases of Regression and ANOVA, Experimental Design, Nonparametric Tests, and Chi-square Tests. Some time is reserved to discuss statistical problems of the participants.

Geostatistics is concerned with the analysis and modelling of spatial variability. It also addresses how quantified spatial variability can be used in optimal spatial interpolation and spatial stochastic simulation. Fields of application include hydrology, soil science, ecology, geology, agriculture, and forestry.

The purpose of this course is to make the participants familiar with general statistical concepts describing uncertainty, and methods to compute prediction uncertainty coming from uncertain parameter values. We introduce dynamic input-state-output systems and methods to write your model in this format.

The design and analysis of experiments, using plants, animals, or humans, are an important part of the scientific process. Proper design of an experiment, apart from its proper analysis and interpretation, is important to convince a researcher that your results are valid and that your conclusions are meaningful.

This postgraduate course focuses on root ecology, and how roots grow, function and interact with the surrounding environment. We will discuss differences and similarities between roots in natural ecosystems and roots of agricultural plants.

In this course, the participant will be provided with both the basic understanding of the principles of multivariate methods and the skills needed to use those methods in his/her own work. The course consists of lectures and computer practicals using RStudio.

This course will provide an overview of concepts and tools that can contribute to the design of multifunctional landscapes that are better suited to capitalize on ecosystem services in conjunction with other land-use functions. The focus of the course will be on consumer-resource interactions underlying pollination and biocontrol services, the spatial ecology of pollinators and natural enemies, the impact of pest management practices on arthropod-mediated ecosystem services, and the design of multifunctional landscapes that support arthropod-mediated ecosystem services as well as other land-use functions.

Due to human land use and climate change, the world around us is changing rapidly. Natural vegetation and wildlife is challenged to adapt to these changes, but in many areas biodiversity is declining. The loss of biodiversity has been put forward as an underestimated driver of global change. The repercussions of these losses for ecosystem functioning and human well-being may be enormous.

During the course, the participants will learn about the basic concepts of resilience and their application, from an interdisciplinary perspective (micro-biome to socio-ecological systems). Accordingly, we will address how resilience theory can be used to tackle fundamental and societal issues from a socio-economic and bio-physical perspective and will provide a critical reflection on the relevance, use, and applicability of the concept of resilience. The course is organised by the Graduate Schools WIAS and PE&RC.

The course aims at assisting steps towards a holistic understanding of the complex social-ecological landscape that is the northern Maloti-Drakensberg. Centered on the Bergville/Mont-aux-Sources/Royal Natal National Park area, the course will provide an opportunity for an in-depth study of the ecological and social processes that drive change (for good or bad) in this region.