IPM workshop | October 2025 | Fort Collins CO

[Michael Schaub]

Intermediate-level workshop (in person only)

Bayesian integrated population modelling (IPM) using JAGS

Instructors
Michael Schaub (Population Biology Research Unit, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Switzerland)
Marc Kéry (Population Biology Research Unit, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Switzerland)
Brian Gerber (USGS, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit & Dep. of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA)
Dave Koons (Dep. of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA)

Date
13 – 17 October 2025

Venue
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Computers
Bring your own laptop with latest R and JAGS

Registration
$ 700 (regular) and $ 350 (master and PhD students)

Integrated population models (IPMs) represent a powerful combination of multiple data sources, typically around a single matrix population model, that are informative about the dynamics of a wild population. Typical IPMs combine one or more time-series of abundance data with other data sets that are directly informative about survival probabilities, such as ring-recovery or capture-recapture, or about productivity, such as nest survey data. However, many other sources of demographic information may be envisioned, including age-at-death data, radio tracking data, occupancy or replicated point count data. For non-statisticians the most practical manner to develop and fit IPMs is by using BUGS software (JAGS and Nimble). This course is a practical and hands-on introduction to developing and fitting integrated population models. It is based on the book by Schaub & Kéry, Integrated Population Models (Academic Press, 2022).
Beyond IPMs, the course also provides a broad introduction for ecologists and wildlife managers to a wide variety of models fit using BUGS software.

Contents include the following topics:
1. Basic introduction:
• Hierarchical models as an overarching theme of population modelling, including IPMs
• Bayesian analysis of hierarchical models
• Introduction to BUGS software in the context of GLMs and traditional random-effects models

2. Ingredients of Integrated Population Models:
• State-space models for time-series of counts
• Cormack-Jolly-Seber models for estimating survival probabilities
• Multistate capture-recapture models for estimating survival and transition probabilities

3. Integrated Population Models (IPMs)
• Introduction to matrix population models and their analysis with BUGS
• Theory of integrated population models
• Various case studies which differ in complexity and in the data types that are combined

In this intermediate-level workshop about 80% of the time is spent on lecturing and 20% on solving exercises. No previous experience with BUGS software, or Bayesian statistics, is assumed. However, a good working knowledge of regression (linear models, GLMs) and of program R is required. Moreover, a basic understanding of capture-recapture and/or occupancy models is highly desirable.

Send your application to Michael Schaub (michael.schaub@vogelwarte.ch), with CC to Marc Kéry (marc.kery@vogelwarte.ch), Brian Gerber (brian.gerber@colostate.edu) and Dave Koons (david.koons@colostate.edu); describing your background and knowledge in statistical modelling, R and JAGS/Nimble, and capture-recapture, by 15 June 2025 at the latest. Workshop invitations will be sent out immediately afterwards.

We may be able to award a couple of course fee waivers. If you do not have access to any funds for covering registration fees, please describe on a half-page (max) your limited funding situation and why you should get a waiver.