Modelling energetics & behavior: Insights from mammalian swimmers, flyers, & runners

Climate change and habitat degradation are major drivers of decline in ecological systems. A comprehensive understanding of the impacts of these drivers on population dynamics is essential for the development of effective conservation strategies. In this seminar, I will present my research on agent-based energy budget and movement models focusing on diverse mammalian species inhabiting marine, terrestrial, and aerial environments. I will present the application of these models to predict the impacts of environmental change on three distinct populations, and explore the potential conservation implications of our findings. Additionally, I will emphasize the significance of confronting models with empirical data and delve into the use of pattern-oriented modeling techniques to capture the intricate connections between energy expenditure, movement patterns, and environmental factors.