ECOSYSTEM MODELLING Course in Barcelona

From 27 to 31 October 2025, ACTNOW partner Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) held an intensive five-day training course at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona. The course brought together 20 ecosystem modellers from 14 countries, reflecting the global relevance of EwE tools for understanding and managing marine ecosystems under change.

The training was structured in two consecutive modules: 3-Day Introduction to Ecopath with Ecosim, in which participants were introduced to the fundamentals of ecosystem trophic modelling, mass-balance construction, temporal dynamics, and uncertainty testing. A 2-Day Advanced TrainingThe advanced module covered state-of-the-art analytical features, including Ecospace spatial modelling, scenario building, environmental drivers, and management strategy evaluation.

Ecosystem models such as EwE play a central role in ACTNOW’s objective to assess the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors—from climate change to fishing pressure—on marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. By strengthening modelling capacities across the international scientific community, the course directly contributes to ACTNOW’s broader effort to develop policy-relevant tools that help European regulators anticipate and respond to emerging environmental challenges.

The course fostered new professional connections and expanded the community of trained EwE users working on ecosystem-based management. This collaborative spirit aligns closely with ACTNOW’s commitment to knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open science.

For more details about the training, visit the official course page:https://sites.google.com/view/ewe-course-2025/