Module 1: Course Foundations¶

Module Summary¶

This module provides an introduction to the use of AI in ecology. Students will explore how AI is being applied in ecological research, review examples of projects from previous course cohorts, and learn about the two field sites in Kenya and Hawai'i. The module will also introduce the ecological research project themes and opportunities associated with each field site.

Week 1 - Introduction to AI for Ecology¶

Class Date: September 1, 2026

Instructor: Tanya Berger-Wolf

Recording from 9/1 synchronous session

Lesson Summary¶

Students will learn about how AI is being used to advance ecological research on a micro- to macro scale. They will learn about the advantages and challenges associated with using technology to solve ecological questions and the significance of standardizing ecological research practices/data collection protocols.

Learning Objectives¶

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

State advantages/opportunities of merging AI and Ecology.
Understand the challenges of using AI in Ecology.
Understand the significance of standardizing ecological research practices/data collection protocols that apply globally and over time.

Pre-Lecture Activities and Reading¶

due by 2pm ET on Tuesday, September 1

Watch¶

AI for Nature KDD 2024 keynote talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vtnINcUFak
Sara Beery NPR interview: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bKiiEPKOBKw

Read¶

Find¶

Find an example of a research article showing that AI methods lead to a new ecological question, hypothesis, or discovery.

Post-lecture Assignment¶

due by 2pm ET on Tuesday, September 8

Journal Entry - Prompt: Using the research article you found, explain the novelty or challenge that AI brought to this scientific study.
Discuss reading:
- Write at least one discussion post concerning one or more of the readings.
- Respond to at least one discussion post.

Class Session Office Hours¶

Who: Jacob Beattie

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026

Time: 2pm Eastern Time

Zoom: Office Hour Zoom Link

Week 2 - AI for Ecology Practical Applications¶

Class Date: September 8, 2026

Instructors: Tanya Berger-Wolf, Aly East, Catherine Villenueve, Namrata Banerji

Recording from 9/8 synchronous session

Lesson Summary¶

This lesson highlights the intersection of artificial intelligence and ecology, showcasing how computational tools can address critical environmental challenges. Students will explore past course projects, analyzing both their biological impact and technical innovation.

Learning Objectives¶

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Be able to give an example of an interdisciplinary AI and ecology project.
For a given scientific project, be able to describe the ecological question and novelty, as well as identify the AI/ML computational methods and novelty.

Pre-Lecture Activities and Reading¶

Explore¶

Read¶

Scan through previous project papers below and select three for in-depth read:

Practice¶

due by 2pm ET on Tuesday, September 8

Discuss reading 1) Prompt: For each in-depth paper, clearly define the biological question and the computational question. Then, explain what makes the work novel in terms of its biology, computer science, or both. 2) Respond to at least one discussion post.

Post-lecture Assignment¶

due by 2pm ET on Tuesday, September 15

Journal Entry - Prompt: Select one past course project presented in class. Based on your current strengths - whether in data analysis, coding, biological domain knowledge, or problem-solving - which specific component of that project would you have been best equipped to work on, and why? How might you leverage that same strength when you begin your own course project later this term?

Class Session Office Hours:¶

Who: Jacob Beattie

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Time: 2pm Eastern Time

Zoom: Office Hour Zoom Link

Week 3 - Overview of Field Sites: Ecology, Stakeholders, and Project Themes¶

Class Date: September 15, 2026

Instructors: Leanna House, Mike Long, Dan Rubenstein, Diane Boghrat

Recording from 9/15 synchronous session (To be posted after class)

Lesson Summary¶

This course focuses on global methods at the intersection of AI and ecology, focusing on their practical applications and adaptation to local settings. This lesson introduces this year’s focal sites - the Mpala Research Centre in Nanyuki, Kenya, and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) site at Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve (PUUM) in Hilo, Hawaii - examining how local communities and organizations shape regional ecological priorities and dictate necessary data. Additionally, the lesson will explore the broad range of questions these sites inspire, review faculty-curated project themes, and consider the human-dimensional aspects to conducting field research.

Learning Objectives¶

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Describe the focal sites in terms of location, physical geography, human geography, and key stakeholders.
Summarize the core ecological challenges and research questions facing each site.
Identify the types of data currently collected at both locations.
Evaluate the range of potential ecological questions that can be asked and addressed at these sites.
Outline the faculty-curated project themes that will frame future coursework.
Understand the human-dimensional challenges and barriers involved in conducting research at local settings.

Pre-Lecture Activities and Reading¶

Watch¶

Read¶

For those going to/interested in Hawaii site also read: 1. Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve NEON / PUUM (Explore) 2. Pu'u Maka'ala Fact Sheet) 3. A Model for Shared Land Management 4. Making the Case for Community-Based Adaptive Collaborative Management in Hawai‘i 5. Hawai‘i forest review: Synthesizing the ecology, evolution, and conservation of a model system 6. Hawaiian Islands Marine Ecosystem Case Study: Ecosystem- and Community-Based Management in Hawaii (Optional)

For those going to/interested in Kenya site also read: 1. Mpala (Explore) 2. Mpala Live (Explore) 3. Mpala Community 4. About Laikipia Conservancies 5. Improving natural resource management and biodiversity conservation in the Laikipia county ecosystem, Kenya 6. Kenya Long-term Exposure Experiment (KLEE) (Explore)

Do:¶

Review the pre-lecture materials and prepare 2–3 questions about the field site to bring to class discussion. (If you’re auditing: Focus on a site of interest.)

Post-lecture Assignment¶

due by 2pm ET on Tuesday, September 15

Journal Entry - Prompt: Looking across this week's focal sites and course project themes, why is 'localization' necessary rather than optional? Describe how a single project theme might look completely different when applied to Mpala versus Pu‘u Maka‘ala based on their distinct human and ecological landscapes.

Class Session Office Hours¶

Who: Leanna House

Date: September 17, 2026

Time: 2pm Eastern Time

Zoom: Office Hour Zoom Link