Introductory course
26-28 October 2026

The introductory course for the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modeling approach will provide an overview to the foundation of the EwE approach and a discussion of basic parameterizations, including the process of model balancing. The spatial temporal module Ecosim and its data needs will be introduced, and we will pay specific attention to the process of fitting models to data. We will end the course with a cursory overview of the Ecospace model and how it has evolved.

The course will be structured between presentations and computer time, and will be taught in English.

Morning sessions will go from 9:00 to 13.00 and afternoon sessions from 14.00 to 17.00.

We will be using a new EwE text book and a new EwE user guide for the course.

Monday October 26 (tentative program)

Tuesday October 27 (tentative program)

Wednesday October 28 (tentative program)

Suggested reading and reference material

The EwE textbook online: https://oceans.ubc.ca/2024/06/05/ecosystem-modelling-with-ewe-new-textbook/

The EwE user guide online: https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/eweguide/

Ainsworth, C.H., and Walters, C.J. (2015). Ten common mistakes made in Ecopath with Ecosim modelling. Ecological Modelling 308, 14–17. DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.03.019

Ahrens RNM, Walters CJ, Christensen V (2012) Foraging arena theory. Fish and Fisheries 13:41-59. DOI 10.1111/j.1467-2979.2011.00432.x

Christensen V, Walters C (2004) Ecopath with Ecosim: methods, capabilities and limitations. Ecological Modelling 72:109-139. DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.09.003

Coll, M., Akoglu, E., Arreguín-Sánchez, F., Fulton, E.A., Gascuel, D., Heymans, J.J., Libralato, S., Mackinson, S., Palomera, I., Piroddi, C., Shannon, L.J., Steenbeek, J., Villasante, S., Christensen, V., (2015). Modelling dynamic ecosystems: venturing beyond boundaries with the Ecopath approach. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 25, 413-424. DOI 10.1007/s11160-015-9386-x

Coll, M., and Steenbeek, J. (2017). Standardized ecological indicators to assess aquatic food webs: The ECOIND software plug-in for Ecopath with Ecosim models. Environmental Modelling & Software 89, 120–130. DOI 10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.12.004

Colléter, M., Valls, A., Guitton, J., Gascuel, D., Pauly, P., Christensen, V. (2015) Global overview of the applications of the Ecopath with Ecosim modelling approach using the EcoBase models repository. Ecological Modelling 302, 42–53. DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.01.025

Heymans, J.J., Coll, M., Link, J.S., Mackinson, S., Steenbeek, J., Christensen, V., (2016). Best practice in Ecopath with Ecosim food-web models for ecosystem-based management. Ecological Modelling 331, 173–184. DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.12.007

Pauly D, Christensen V, Walters C (2000) Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace as tools for evaluating ecosystem impact of fisheries. ICES Journal of Marine Science 57:697-706. DOI 10.1006/jmsc.2000.0726

Steenbeek, J., Buszowski, J., Christensen, V., Akoglu, E., Aydin, K., Ellis, N., Felinto, D., Guitton, J., Lucey, S., Kearney, K., Mackinson, S., Pan, M., Platts, M., Walters, C., (2016). Ecopath with Ecosim as a model-building toolbox: source code capabilities, extensions, and variations. Ecological Modelling 319, 178–189. DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.06.031

Walters, C., Christensen, V., Pauly, D., (1997). Structuring dynamic models of exploited ecosystems from trophic mass-balance assessments. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 7, 139-172. DOI 10.1023/A:1018479526149