The research of the Department of TCE addresses the complexity of ecological systems in terms of patterns, processes, diversity, and functioning. By using mathematical modelling, we generate insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations and communities. By using computational approaches, we address how organisms cope with changing environmental conditions and how nature and life is distributed across our planet.
Rapidly changing environments as well as human impacts, and the societal demands to address these challenges, make it imperative to come to grips with the complexity of ecological systems. This need poses challenges to the fundamental structure of ecological theory, and to the assimilation of the large and increasing amounts of data about ecological systems and their environments that is becoming available. We address this by advancing ecological theory (through mathematical developments, conceptual structures, and theoretical syntheses) and by promoting and facilitating computationally intensive ecological research (e.g. data mining, big data analysis, and modelling).