Paul Caplat

I develop approaches to understand and predict species' dynamics in a world of continuous change: temperature rise, land-use get intensified in some areas while others are abandoned, species are moved from one continent to another. 
To achieve this, I use a combination of modelling and data analysis to reveal how species’ life-histories interact with environmental conditions and human intervention, to produce large-scale ecological patterns. I favour models as tools to address these questions for theoretical or applied studies. I juggle between modelling techniques to best approach the problem at hand, but I like those emphasizing mechanisms. 
My work has a strong theoretical component, but is dedicated to providing tools to understand, predict, and manage the ecological aspects of global change. As a consequence my research is developed along two themes: 1) linking local processes to large-scale patterns, and 2) help manage species and landscapes.

For instance, I try to predict how species distributions will change with climate change; how farming or forestry practices impact biodiversity; how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services.

Spatial ecology; Macroecology; Landscape ecology; Invasion biology; Population biology; Bayesian Inference; Individual-based models; trees; birds;

BIO3206 "Conservation biology" - I developed this module to offer third year students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of ecological concepts and methods relevant for conservation, through interactive lectures, workshops and group work.