Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data

Biological communities are inherently multivariate, with patterns of species occurrence and abundance reflecting multiple and interacting environmental gradients. Multivariate analysis provides a powerful set of tools to explore these patterns, investigate species–environment relationships and address ecological questions at the community level.

This advanced course combines an introduction to the conceptual foundations of multivariate analysis with real-life ecological case studies and hands-on analyses in R. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how ecological questions, data structure and study design guide the choice of analytical approach, and on the interpretation and communication of multivariate results.

Following an introductory day, participants will be presented case studies illustrating the application of multivariate methods to real ecological questions. During the final two days, participants will apply these approaches to their own ecological datasets. Participants without suitable datasets will be provided with datasets and research questions to work on.

Examples will draw primarily on vegetation and community ecology, although the approaches presented are broadly applicable across disciplines.

Introduction to multivariate analysis in ecology

09:30–11:00 | From ecological questions to multivariate analyses

Why multivariate analysis?

Community data and ecological gradients

Species responses along environmental gradients

Unconstrained versus constrained ordination

Choosing an appropriate analytical approach

11:30–13:00 | Ordination methods and interpretation

Principal Components Analysis (PCA)

Correspondence Analysis (CA)

Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA)

Redundancy Analysis (RDA)

Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA)

Partial ordination and variation partitioning

Reading and interpreting ordination diagrams

14:00–16:30 | Case study 1 – Exploring ecological gradients in community data

From the ecological question and sampling design to unconstrained ordination and interpretation of community patterns.

Multivariate analysis in practice – Case studies

09:30–11:00 | Case study 2 – Linking community composition to environmental drivers

Using constrained ordination to investigate species-environment relationships and disentangle the effects of multiple environmental factors.

11:30–13:00 | Case study 3 – Partitioning ecological variation

Using partial ordination and variation partitioning to distinguish the contributions of different environmental and spatial drivers.

14:00–16:30 | Case study 4 – From multivariate analysis to ecological interpretation

Integrating multivariate analyses within a real research workflow: analytical choices, graphical representation, interpretation and reporting of results.

Hands-on workshop – Participants' datasets I

09:30–13:00 & 14:00–16:30 | Guided analysis of ecological datasets

Participants will work individually or in small groups using their own datasets or datasets provided by the instructors. The session will focus on defining the ecological question, selecting an appropriate multivariate approach, implementing the analysis in R and interpreting the results.

Hands-on workshop – Participants' datasets II

09:30–13:00 & 14:00–16:30 | Analysis, interpretation and presentation

Continuation of the analyses initiated on the previous day, including refinement of analytical approaches, graphical representation of results and discussion of ecological interpretation. The session will conclude with short presentations and joint discussion of participants' analyses.

Participants should have basic experience with R. Completion of the BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO Introduction to R course, or equivalent experience, is required.

4 days - 24 hours - Schedule: 09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 16:30

26 and 27 November 2026 – in person at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Campus Vairão

2 and 3 December 2026 – in person at the same venue, with the possibility of attending online via Zoom

The Zoom link will be sent closer to the date.

Coordination

Joana Marques | BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO

The course will be open to a maximum number of 20 participants.

75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.

Priority will be given to:

• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;

• PhD students attending other courses;

• Other post-graduate students and researchers.

(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)

To apply fill the FORM

A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.

If you don't receive this email, your application was not successfully submitted.

We will email you the results within 10 working days after the application deadline.

95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants).

BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.

Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs members.

(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).

Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.

No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.

Education & Training Unit (Post graduation office)

+351 252 660 425