Program

See the division into working groups and deep-dive sessions at the end of this page.

The workshop will take place in Building 38, Auditorium 10, at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Schedule

Talks and Posters

Find the agenda and order of the talks here. To access the posters visit the page here.

Working groups

Format:

Participants will be divided between 3-4 themes (approx. 10-15 students per theme). Within each theme, participants can divide into smaller groups of 3-4 to discuss a specific question. The goals of the discussion are:

1. Identify outstanding challenges, questions, and research gaps
2. Identify or suggest methods that can be used to address these questions
3. Specify the data that are required to address these challenges.

Deliverables:

At the end of the workshop, each group will have completed a writeup (~1500 words) in the form of a proposal that includes a summary of the points above (questions, methods, data). A conceptual figure is encouraged! At the end of the workshop, each group will also present their ideas in a 5-min presentation (about 4 slides), followed by a discussion.

Themes:

• Predicting interactions following environmental changes (Anna Traveset, Anna Eklof). Venue: Building 28, room 102 (Monday) and 107 (Tues-Wed).
• The evolution of species interaction networks (Miguel Fortuna). Venue: Building 28, room 103.
• Harnessing network stability theory (Stefano Allesina, Jacopo Grili). Venue: Building 28, room 105.
• Applications of network ecology for sustainability and food security (Darren Evans, Laura Dee). Venue: Building 28, room 106.

Deep-dives

On the fourth day, we will have two deep-dive sessions. The goal of these sessions is to get in-depth involvement and training on a specific topic. Participants can choose one of the two. We wish to have an equal division of participants, but will do our best to accommodate participants according to their first preference.

Deep dive into linking models and data (led by Dr. Jacopo Grilli):

Venue: Building 35, room 116

Data do not speak by themselves. Mathematical models are the most efficient way to interrogate data and navigate the complexity of the empirical world. As maps are useful because they simplify reality, so are models because they capture essential features of the data. In this hands-on session, we will discuss: (1) how to connect data and models; (2) how to extract patterns from data; (3) how to assess their non-triviality using null-models and randomizations; and (4) how to proceed in formulating a generative model. The session will include hands-on programming; participants should bring their own laptops with their favorite programming language.

Deep dive into social-ecological networks and ecosystem functions (led by Dr. Laura Dee):

Venue: Auditorium 10 or Building 28, room 105.

The feedback between social and ecological systems affects ecosystem function and services and is the driver of global challenges such as climate change, infectious diseases, and the loss of biodiversity. By linking social and ecological networks we can start investigating the ongoing feedback between these complex systems and the ultimate consequences of their dynamics. The goal of social-ecological networks is to model and ultimately predict the dynamic feedback between human activities and the ecosystems they affect. This understanding can provide policymakers with a theoretical and practical framework for decision making. This mini-symposium will combine lectures by Dr. Dee with roundtable discussions to expose participants to new ideas on the interface between ecology, social sciences and sustainability. Focusing on collaborative outputs, the symposium participants will develop ideas via roundtable discussions. The mini-symposium will be open for participants of EcoNet2023 and to the School of Sustainability and Climate Change faculty members and students.

 

9:00-9:15 Gathering and introduction to the symposium (Shai Pilosof)

9:15-9:30       Overview/Introduction to the topic and day (Dr. Laura Dee)

9:30-10:00 Converting an ecological network to a social-ecological network in Agricultural systems (Prof. Darren Evans)

10:00-10:15  Coffee Break

10:15-11:15  Diverse topics in social-ecological systems (15-min talks):

 

• Mitigating inefficiencies and loss in food systems: lessons from urban, land and aquatic environments (Dr. Alon Shepon, Department of Environmental Studies, Tel-Aviv univ.)
• Avoidance of visitors in a protected area raises the predation risk for the endangered Mountain gazelle (Prof. Oded Berger-Tal, Mitrani Dept. of Desert Ecology, BGU)
• Why the locals don’t swim in the lake?: Ecological restoration, social trust, and cultural preferences in a Greek lake  (Prof. Nir Avieli, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, BGU)

11:15-11:45  Coffee break

11:45-12:30  Social-ecological networks: Integrating humans into the picture (Dr. Laura Dee) 

12:30-13:30  Lunch

13:30-14:15  Frontier topics:  Explore social-ecological networks in other circumstances and in small group discussions. led by Laura and Darren 

14:15-15:00  Informal roundtable discussions on future directions

 

Hike

The hike will take place in Ein Avedat national park. This park is a permanent, year-round water source in a hyper-arid desert area. Therefore, it is crucial for the organisms in the area. On the other hand, it is one of the most visited parks in Israel. This creates a conflict in nature conservation. Per the theme of the workshop, the goal of the hike is twofold. First, to introduce participants to the ecology of this desert system, highlighting species interactions. Second, to discuss how species’ life history interactions are affected by human activities. This hike is also a great opportunity to engage in informal conversations between participants, for example, to further discuss the working group themes.

You will need shoes (sneakers are fine), a 1.5 liter water bottle, a snack for yourself (fruit, etc), a hat and sunscreen. The hike is easy, but includes a minor climb at the end.