Author Archives: qaecology

Kickstarting the year with HGAMs

Posted on February 25, 2019

To start off Reading Group for 2019, we dove headfirst into 43 brilliant pages on hierarchical generalised additive models (HGAMs) by Pederson et al. 2018, a pre-print titled “Hierarchical generalised additive models: an introduction with mgcv“. Although at first intimidated … Continue reading →

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Philosophical discussions in the lab: Žižek criticises ideological ecology

Posted on June 5, 2018

In a recent reading group, QAECO discussed a criticism of ecology from the contemporary philosopher Slavoj Žižek, as represented in two online resources: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/opinion/global/02iht-GA12zizek.html https://io9.gizmodo.com/5627925/slavoj-iek-wake-up-and-smell-the-apocalypse?IR=T Slavoj Žižek [photo by By Amrei-Marie, from Wikimedia Commons] Žižek is a strongly left-leaning critic … Continue reading →

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Wanting to learn about Species Distribution Modelling? Consider enrolling in our online subject! – running again soon (Jul/Oct 2018)

Posted on May 23, 2018

Are you interested in modelling? Are you a graduate student, and your project involves studying species distributions? Or maybe you are a research professional or a manager wanting to expand your quantitative skills? Species distribution modelling is one of the … Continue reading →

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Grappling with reproducibility in science?

Posted on March 20, 2018

As a lab, we’ve made it a priority to increase the standards of our code to align with best practices for reproducibility and repeatability of our science. In keeping with this goal, this week in reading group Saras Windecker and … Continue reading →

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Qaeco’s favourite papers of 2017

Posted on January 31, 2018

We asked our lab members to nominate a paper published in 2017 that they had enjoyed. Recommendations ranged from the skill-based (scientific writing, reproducible coding, camera-trapping) to global reviews (plant traits, climate change, size-based models) and some great case studies … Continue reading →

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Modellers v.s. Experimentalists – why can’t we all just get along?

Posted on November 14, 2017

Are modellers trying to steal your data? Field ecologists not bothering to read your equations? If so, you’re not alone, because the authors in Heuschele et al 2017 share your concern. They reckon that ecological research is being limited by a lack … Continue reading →

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Sense of place: the ecosystem service to align social and conservation values?

Posted on November 1, 2017

Many conservation issues are influenced by a complex mix of environmental, social, economic and cultural processes. At times, conservation decision-making can be complicated by opposing social and ecological values. In this week’s reading group, Anja Skroblin led a discussion on … Continue reading →

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