Explore a comprehensive lecture on statistical models and their application in linking data to theory in this 1 hour 23 minute session from the Serrapilheira/ICTP-SAIFR Training Program in Quantitative Ecology. Delve into topics such as geometric models, differential equation integrators, and Gaussian processes. Learn about practical examples including the Gulf example and Pacific island colonization. Discover various tools and techniques for data analysis, including regression models, dynamic models, and covariance calculations. Gain insights from expert lecturers in the field of quantitative ecology, including Diogo Melo from Princeton University. Enhance your understanding of statistical modeling and its role in bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world ecological data.