Research topic · 7 papers
We develop practical tools for extracting dynamical insight from ecological time series, spatial patterns, images and animal-tracking data.
These papers connect statistical inference, machine learning and open-source software with questions in ecology and collective behaviour.
Related publications
Stochastic DynamicsData & Methods
Discovering stochastic dynamical equations from ecological timeseries data
Paper 47. Arshed Nabeel, Ashwin Karichannavar, Shuaib Palathingal, Jitesh Jhawar, David B. Bruckner, Danny Raj M, Vishwesha Guttal, 2025, The American Naturalist, 205: E100-E117
In brief: An interpretable, data-driven framework recovers stochastic ecological equations directly from measured time-series data.
Tipping PointsData & Methods
Optimal sampling of spatial patterns improves deep learning-based early warning signals of critical transitions
Paper 44. Smita Deb, E. Mahendru, P. Goyal, Vishwesha Guttal, P. S. Dutta and N. C. Krishnan, 2024, Royal Society Open Science, 11: 231767.
In brief: Thoughtful spatial sampling can substantially improve deep-learning detection of early warning signals before critical transitions.
Animal MovementData & Methods
Multi-Object Tracking in Heterogeneous environments (MOTHe) for animal video recordings
Paper 41. Rathore, Akanksha, Ananth Sharma, Nitika Sharma, Colin J. Torney, and Vishwesha Guttal, 2023, PeerJ Life, 11: e15573.
In brief: MOTHe provides a practical way to track multiple animals across visually complex and heterogeneous video environments.
Interdisciplinary / OtherData & Methods
Modelling the first wave of COVID-19 in India
Paper 39. Hazra D. K., Pujari B. S., Shekatkar S. M., Mozaffer F., Sinha S., Guttal Vishwesha, et al., 2022, PLoS Computational Biology, 18: e1010632.
In brief: Mathematical models reconstruct India’s first COVID-19 wave and help evaluate how transmission and interventions shaped its course.
Interdisciplinary / OtherData & Methods
Abnormalities in migration of neural precursor cells in familial bipolar disorder
Paper 38. Sukumaran S. K., Paul P., Guttal Vishwesha, Holla B., Vemula A., Bhatt H., et al. and ADBS Consortium, 2022, Disease Models & Mechanisms, 15: dmm049526.
In brief: A cellular model identifies altered migration of neural precursor cells associated with familial bipolar disorder.
Spatial EcologyData & Methods
Monitoring ecosystem degradation using spatial data and the R package spatialwarnings
Paper 26. Alexandre Genin, Sabiha Majumder, Sumithra Sankaran, Alain Danet, Vishwesha Guttal, Florian Schneider and Sonia Kefi, 2018, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9: 2067–2075.
In brief: The spatialwarnings toolkit turns ecological spatial patterns into practical indicators for monitoring ecosystem degradation.
Tipping PointsData & Methods
Methods for detecting early warnings of critical transitions in time series: Illustrated using simulated ecological data
Paper 12. Vasilis Dakos, Stephen R. Carpenter, William A. Brock, Aaron M. Ellison, Vishwesha Guttal, Anthony R. Ives, Sonia Kefi, Valerie Livina, David A. Seekell, Egbert H. van Nes, Marten Scheffer, 2012, PLoS ONE. 7(7): e41010.
In brief: A practical guide shows how to detect early warning signals of critical transitions in ecological time series.
Theoretical Ecology and Evolution Laboratory 
