French Research Institute for Development
Address: Alemania N32-188 y Guayanas / Apartado postal 17-12-857
Quito - Ecuador
Email: Olivier.dangles@ird.fr
Olivier Dangles is a director of investigations at the French Research Institute for Development. His research, firmly rooted in an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability science, focuses on the response of biodiversity to global changes, both in natural and man-influenced ecosystems, mainly in the tropical Andes. He has been an associate researcher in several foreign universities for 15 years (Ecuador, Bolivia, USA), and is currently based at the Catholic University of Ecuador, where he co-directs an International Laboratory WASILAB between Ecuador and France. His work has been the subject of more than 200 scientific publications, six books and numerous scientific communications.
Modelling approaches coupling physical, biological and social systems in agricultural entomology
Understanding insect population dynamics in agricultural landscapes requires integrating physical, biological, and social factors. This talk explores advanced modelling approaches that bridge these domains, focusing on agent-based models (ABMs) as a key tool. ABMs simulate individual insects, crops, and human decision-making, capturing emergent behaviors in complex agroecosystems.
We will discuss how these models integrate environmental drivers (e.g., climate, landscape heterogeneity), biological processes (e.g., pest population dynamics, natural enemy interactions), and human interventions (e.g., pesticide use, habitat management). Case studies will illustrate applications in integrated pest management (IPM) and sustainable agriculture. The talk will also address challenges such as data integration, model validation, and computational constraints. By combining multiple scales and disciplines, these approaches provide valuable insights for designing resilient agricultural systems that balance productivity with ecological sustainability.
