SEEC UCT 2.08

The statistical sciences develop quantitative tools for evaluating hypotheses in the light of data and therefore assume a critical role within science. This is especially true for the biological and environmental sciences, which study complex systems with large amounts of multi-layered data and are faced with decision making problems that directly affect human livelihoods and well-being. Recent developments in statistical methods are revolutionising the way ecological and environmental research is conducted. These developments led to the fields of statistical ecology and environmetrics. The goal of these fields is to address core questions in ecology and environmental sciences using novel statistical approaches, which account for uncertainty more comprehensively and extract signals from noisy data more reliably. This is leading to a far deeper understanding of natural systems, which is the foundation for the sustainable use and management of pressures on biodiversity in the face of global change. -

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