The Nature Research Centre invites researchers, PhD students, and laboratory staff to take part in the short course “Introduction to Ecohydrological Modeling“, led by dr. Ali Ertürk.
Prof. Dr. Ali Ertürk is a professor at Istanbul University, an environmental engineer and researcher with more than 26 years of professional experience and 24 years of academic experience in ecohydrological, water quality and environmental systems modelling. His scientific work covers the hydrology and ecology of inland waters and coastal lagoons, nutrient dynamics, eutrophication management, climate-change impacts on water resources, and the development of decision-support systems. He has been collaborating with Lithuanian research institutions since 2004, defended his doctoral dissertation at Klaipėda University in 2008, and worked at the Nature Research Centre in 2023–2025.
Dates: 7–11 September 2026
Language: English
Format: Lectures, hands-on modelling exercises, discussions, homework, and group assignments.
Duration: Approximately 6 academic hours per day.
About the course
The course will provide an introduction to ecohydrological modelling, with a particular focus on system dynamics‘ approaches and their application to water-related environmental problems.
Participants will explore how conceptual models can be developed and transformed into simple working model prototypes. The course will combine theoretical background with practical exercises and discussions based on ecohydrological examples relevant to the Nature Research Centre.
Potential application areas include lake nutrient dynamics, cyanobacterial blooms, biomass management scenarios, climate-change impacts on water resources, wetland development, and other aquatic ecosystem issues.
Target audience
The course is intended to PhD students, researchers, and laboratory staff working in or interested in aquatic ecosystems, hydrology, water quality, lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal ecosystems, environmental modeling, or scenario analysis.
Expected background
Basic knowledge of ecology, hydrology, and elementary calculus will be useful. Previous experience in statistics is not required. Programming skills are not expected at this stage, although analytical and algorithmic thinking will be beneficial.
Software and technical requirements
Participants will be required to bring their own personal laptops for the practical sessions and install the required software prior the course.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- understand the main principles of ecohydrological and system dynamics modelling;
- formulate an environmental problem as a conceptual model;
- identify the main system components, processes, feedbacks, and assumptions;
- outline and design a system-dynamics-oriented model;
- implement a simple model prototype;
- explore scenarios and interpret modelling results in an ecohydrological context.
Registration
To help adapt the course to participants’ experience and interests, registered participants will be asked to provide brief information about their research field, previous modelling experience, and expectations for the course.
Registration deadline: September 2.
Registration via email: studijos@gamtc.lt
